Hyderabad: Labour, Employment, Mines and Geology Minister Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy said the State government would restore Singareni’s past glory through new jobs and mines across the coal sector.
The Minister visited the underground section of the KK-5 mine in the Mandamarri Singareni area. There, he descended into the mine along with workers and inspected underground working conditions.
Later, he interacted with workers and listened to their concerns. During the interaction, workers requested the Minister to resolve Income Tax issues linked to PRC arrears. They also appealed for government support to fulfil their housing aspirations.
Meanwhile, Vivek Venkatswamy said the previous BRS government neglected Singareni and financially exploited the corporation. However, he said the earlier government failed to start even a single new mine during its tenure.
He also urged Singareni workers to focus on quality coal production while maintaining complete safety standards in mining operations.
New jobs and mines planned through expansion projects
Later, the Minister attended a felicitation programme organised for Shram Shakti Award recipient Yedukola Pawan Kumar at the KK-5 mine.
Addressing the gathering, Vivek Venkatswamy said the Kaka family shared a long association with Singareni workers. He further urged officials and workers to work together for the organisation’s development.
The Minister recalled that former Union Minister Kaka Venkataswamy secured Rs. 400 crore for Singareni and protected nearly one lakh jobs.
At the same time, he said the Telangana government was ensuring Singareni’s participation in coal block tenders under Central government policies.
The Minister also said the government had already brought the PRC Income Tax issue to the notice of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. In addition, he said MP Vamsi Krishna was pursuing efforts in Parliament for a monthly pension of Rs. 10,000 for retired Singareni workers.
Vivek Venkatswamy said the proposed RKP Opencast Phase-2 project would create nearly 5,000 jobs. He added that authorities would start the mine immediately after receiving forest clearances.
Meanwhile, the Minister assured contract workers that the government would soon resolve the issue of increasing minimum wages under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
Mandamarri Area GM N. Radhakrishna, trade union leaders, officials, and workers attended the programme. The Minister later felicitated Shram Shakti awardees Pawan Kumar and Pulluri Laxman with shawls. He also joined workers in a safety pledge.