Bhatti Vikramarka denies role in Naini coal block tender, directs SCCL to cancel tender

Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka denied involvement in the Naini coal block tender process and directed SCCL to cancel it. He dismissed allegations as fabricated, criticised a vernacular daily report, and said he would soon disclose all facts behind the controversy

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday said he had directed the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to cancel the mining tender for the Naini coal block in Odisha following allegations of his involvement in the tender process.

Denying any role in the tender process, he said at a press conference here that SCCL had been asked to go in for fresh tenders in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Centre for public sector undertakings. The company management had informed him that they could not be blamed as they had only called for tenders and no one had participated, he said, adding that he was not afraid of what he described as “fabricated stories.”

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“I want people to know the truth regarding the report published in media. I will soon present complete details and explain all aspects clearly,” Bhatti Vikramarka said, raising strong objection to a news report published in a vernacular daily, which alleged that he had played a role in awarding the contract for the Naini coal block to certain companies.

“I will not talk trash or write baseless reports like Andhra Jyothi Managing Director Radhakrishna. I have some responsibility,” Bhatti Vikramarka said. “The person who wrote this might be close to some other persons. It could also be due to my close association with former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and that person’s hatred towards YSR,” he said, alleging that the report was deliberately published to serve certain vested interests.

“I don’t know where he saw the irregularities or heard about them. This is a question of my self-respect. For 40 years, both in the Assembly and outside, I have fought for this society. I will not indulge in cheap politics or cook up fabricated stories and spread them,” he said, adding that tender conditions would be finalised by the Singareni Board and that the Minister had no role in the process.

“I will soon disclose all the facts. Details of the purpose behind Radhakrishna’s fabricated story and his intentions, particularly the political agenda and the person behind this episode, will be shared,” Bhatti Vikramarka said.