Hyderabad: IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu on Thursday ruled out Singareni privatisation and asserted that the Congress government would protect the public sector coal mining company.
Addressing reporters at the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) office, the minister said the government would not permit the privatisation of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). He also criticised BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao over his statements concerning the company’s management and operations.
Sridhar Babu questioned why Rama Rao had raised concerns about Singareni after 12 years. He accused the previous BRS administration of using the coal company as an “ATM” during its tenure.
Singareni privatisation allegations trigger political dispute
The minister alleged that the BRS government had mismanaged Singareni and left thousands of crores of rupees in outstanding dues to the company. He also questioned whether members of Rama Rao’s family had effectively controlled the organisation during the previous decade.
Furthermore, Sridhar Babu accused the BRS working president of making statements that could damage Singareni’s reputation. He maintained that the Congress government had ensured transparency in Singareni’s tender processes since assuming office.
According to the minister, certain groups had criticised the administration because they were unhappy with the changes introduced in the company’s operations. He also blamed the decline in Singareni’s coal production on policies followed by the previous BRS government.
Sridhar Babu demanded that BRS leaders explain how many promises made to Singareni workers during their 10-year administration had been fulfilled. Referring to the Tadicherla coal block, Sridhar Babu alleged that the previous BRS government had taken steps towards privatisation.
He claimed that the BRS administration had handed over the coal block to a private company. The minister also advised Rama Rao to avoid what he described as diversionary politics and instead address questions about the previous government’s record.
He maintained that the Congress administration had introduced changes intended to protect Singareni and improve transparency in its operations. Sridhar Babu reiterated that the state government would oppose any attempt to privatise Singareni Collieries Company Limited.
He asserted that the Congress government remained committed to protecting the public sector company and would resist any move towards its privatisation.