Hyderabad: Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday said the Tadicherla-II coal block allotted to the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) without an auction would secure the company’s future for the next 40 to 50 years.
Speaking to Singareni workers during the BJP’s Singareni Bharosa Yatra, Reddy said the Centre approved the allocation after considering workers’ long-pending demand. Meanwhile, he said the decision also reflected the strategic importance of SCCL.
Tadicherla-II coal block to strengthen SCCL
The Union Minister said the Supreme Court had mandated auction-based allocation of coal blocks after irregularities surfaced during the UPA government. However, he said the Centre made a rare exception for SCCL to safeguard Telangana’s coal sector.
Reddy alleged that the previous BRS government failed to secure new coal blocks for SCCL. Further, he said the Centre had revived the Naini coal block project in Odisha for the company.
The Union Minister claimed that the previous BRS government and the present Congress government together owed nearly ₹54,000 crore to SCCL. Additionally, he demanded immediate clearance of the pending dues.
Reddy assured Singareni employees that the Centre would continue supporting SCCL. He also said the Union government remained committed to protecting the interests of its workforce.
BJP Telangana president N. Ramchander Rao, MP D.K. Aruna, MLC Anji Reddy, MLAs Maheshwar Reddy, Dhanpal Suranna and Ramarao Patil attended the programme. Singareni workers, BJP leaders, party workers and other dignitaries also participated.