BRS seeks judicial probe into alleged Rs 1,600 crore Singareni coal scam
BRS working president KT Rama Rao demanded a judicial inquiry into an alleged Rs 1,600-crore coal scam in SCCL, claiming nearly 40 lakh metric tonnes of coal were missing from stockyards. He also sought an all-party inspection and accused both governments of inaction
Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Friday demanded a judicial inquiry into an alleged Rs 1,600-crore coal scam in the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). He sought an all-party delegation to be sent to inspect the mines and verify the stock position. He accused both the State and Central governments of failing to act despite repeated complaints by his party.
In a letter to union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Rama Rao said nearly 40 lakh metric tonnes of coal shown in Singareni’s official records had gone missing from stockyards, raising serious questions over the functioning of one of Telangana’s largest public sector undertakings. He said the missing coal was estimated to be worth around Rs 1,600 crore.
The former Minister said the stocks were shown on the company’s website across seven mining divisions, including Mandamarri, Srirampur, Ramagundam-I, Ramagundam-II, Bhupalpally, Yellandu and Satthupalli, but were allegedly absent during physical inspections.
“The fate of coal worth Rs 1,600 crore must be determined immediately. Singareni coal is an asset belonging to the people of Telangana,” he said, adding that coal cess and income tax were reportedly paid on the declared stocks despite their alleged absence on the ground.
The BRS leader questioned why neither the union Coal Ministry nor officials of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had conducted stock verification despite the issue being raised publicly. He said the silence of both governments fuelled suspicions of collusion. “Unless there is collusion between the Centre and the State, an immediate inquiry should be ordered,” he said.
Rama Rao stated that since the Congress assumed office in Telangana, Singareni had become the centre of multiple controversies. Referring to the recently cancelled Naini coal mine tender process, he said irregularities were committed by introducing a mandatory “Site Visit Certificate” clause, which was allegedly designed to favour select bidders.
He criticised the fact that although the issue forced the government to cancel the tender process, no action had been initiated against those responsible. He said there was no clarity on the findings of the committee reportedly constituted to examine the matter.
The former Minister also raised alleged irregularities in the award of 107 MW solar power projects, procurement of explosives and changes in diesel purchase procedures, stating that these decisions caused severe financial losses to Singareni. He alleged that Rs 110 crore of SCCL funds were diverted towards organising a football event featuring international star Lionel Messi.
Rama Rao accused the Centre of maintaining silence over these allegations despite holding a significant stake in Singareni. He said repeated attempts to obtain information through the Right to Information Act were also being obstructed. Warning that the continued inaction might create unrest among Singareni workers, he said both governments were ignoring the future of the organisation and the livelihoods of thousands of employees.
Demanding a judicial probe by a sitting judge into the alleged Rs 1,600-crore coal scam, Rama Rao said the BRS would intensify its agitation if the Centre failed to order an inquiry.
“If this scam, which threatens to inflict irreparable damage on Singareni, is not investigated, the BRS, along with the Singareni workers, will launch a struggle against both the State and Central governments,” he said.
