Centre forms technical team to probe Naini coal block tender issue

The Union Ministry of Coal has set up a two-member technical team to examine the cancelled MDO tender for the Naini coal block. The panel will study the tender process, CSR provisions and submit its report within three days

Hyderabad: The union Ministry of Coal has constituted a two member technical team to examine and analyse the tender process for appointment of a Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) for the Naini coal block. The team will also identify the reasons that led to the cancellation of the tender and submit its report within three days.

The team comprises Ministry of Coal Deputy Director General Chetna Shukla and Director Marapally Venkateshwarlu. Orders to this effect were issued on Wednesday and a copy was shared with Singareni Collieries Company Limited chairman and managing director D Krishna Bhaskar.

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The technical team will analyse the notice inviting tender issued on November 28, 2025 for the appointment of an MDO for the Naini coal block. Apart from identifying the reasons behind the cancellation of the tender process, the team will compare the practices followed by other coal companies in preparing tenders for MDOs or outsourcing coal extraction works.

It will also examine whether the pattern and quantum of corporate social responsibility spending proposed in the tender were in accordance with statutory CSR provisions. The team will visit the SCCL headquarters immediately and submit its report within three days.

Following reports in a section of the media alleging irregularities in the tenders, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, who also holds the Energy portfolio, announced that directions were issued to SCCL to cancel the tenders and float fresh ones.

The controversy has triggered a political storm in the State. Former Minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader T Harish Rao demanded that union Minister of Coal G Kishan Reddy order a CBI probe into the alleged irregularities. He had also written a letter to the union Minister in this regard.