Hyderabad: Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) Chairman and Managing Director N Balaram on Monday urged employees to fully utilise their eight-hour shifts to help secure the company’s future. He said every worker must take ownership and contribute to Singareni’s growth into a global enterprise.
Addressing the 39th consultative meeting with the recognised union, Singareni Collieries Workers Union (SCWU), at Singareni Bhavan in Hyderabad, Balaram called on the union to support efforts aimed at strengthening workplace efficiency. He emphasised that employees should use their full shift time productively.
To remain competitive, Singareni had slashed coal prices. As a result, reducing production costs had become essential. Without these savings, welfare schemes and employment growth would be affected. Balaram encouraged workers to operate machinery effectively and ensure no work time went to waste.
Singareni CMD urges full shifts to reduce costs
He pointed out the need to reduce absenteeism through targeted awareness programmes. This, he said, would strengthen discipline across departments. In addition, he shared that Singareni plans to expand its operations into ten states.
To support this expansion, two new companies will be launched. Singareni Green Energy will generate 5,000 MW of renewable power. Meanwhile, Singareni Global Ltd will explore and mine critical minerals on international soil.
The company is also working to secure new coal blocks through auctions. These efforts, Balaram explained, are key to ensuring long-term employment for 40,000 permanent staff and 30,000 contract workers. He said these steps are necessary to build a future-ready Singareni.
₹300 crore housing, CBSE schools for workers
Balaram highlighted several welfare initiatives. SCCL is investing ₹300 crore to build 1,000 double-bedroom staff quarters in Godavarikhani, Srirampur, Manuguru, Kothagudem, and Bhupalpally.
Additionally, a cath lab will begin operations in Godavarikhani within two months. Plans are underway for a super-specialty hospital in Hyderabad. In the education sector, a CBSE school has already opened in Ramagundam-2. SCCL also intends to open similar schools in other regions.
Union seeks housing, cath lab, and thermal plant
SCWU honorary president and MLA Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao voiced full support for SCCL’s development plans. He recalled the union’s history of sacrifice and asked the management to launch a housing scheme for employees.
He further urged the company to establish a cath lab in Kothagudem and enhance healthcare for retired workers. Moreover, he requested that SCCL set up a thermal power plant in Kothagudem and initiate a new project in Illandu, Singareni’s birthplace. He welcomed the management’s move to provide ESI benefits to contract workers and thanked them for allocating CSR funds to modernise the Kothagudem bus stand.
Union flags issues, CMD assures resolution
Union president Vasireddy Sitaramaiah presented a list of worker concerns during the meeting. Balaram responded that all issues would be reviewed in line with existing norms. He confirmed that SCCL would form dedicated committees to address financial matters.
The meeting was attended by Directors Gautham Potru (Personnel), L V Suryanarayana (Operations), K Venkateshwarlu (P&P), M Tirumala Rao (E&M), and other senior officials. Also present were GM T Srinivas, GM Kavita Naidu, union general secretary Raj Kumar, and representatives from various areas.