Coal Ministry technical team meets Singareni top brass in Hyderabad

A two-member technical team from the Union Ministry of Coal visited Hyderabad and met senior officials of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). With Union Minister G Kishan Reddy scheduled to visit Kothagudem, the team may brief him on its findings.

Hyderabad: A two-member technical team of the Union Ministry of Coal, which arrived in the city on Thursday evening, met the top brass of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) here on Friday.

The team comprises Deputy Director General Chetna Shukla and Director Marapally Venkateshwarlu of the Union Ministry of Coal.

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It is learnt that the team interacted with several senior officials of SCCL and sought specific information. SCCL Chairman and Managing Director D Krishna Bhaskar shared the information sought by the team, sources said.

With Union Minister of Coal G Kishan Reddy scheduled to visit Kothagudem on Saturday, officials said there was a possibility of the technical team meeting him and discussing certain aspects.

Following the controversy over alleged irregularities in the Naini coal block’s tender, the Union Ministry of Coal had constituted the technical team to examine and analyse the tender process for the appointment of a Mine Developer and Operator for the block.

The team has been entrusted with the task of identifying the reasons that led to the cancellation of the tender process and submitting its report within three days.

Before submitting the report, the technical team will study the notice inviting tender issued on November 28, 2025, for the appointment of a Mine Developer and Operator for the Naini coal block. It will also analyse whether the pattern and quantum of Corporate Social Responsibility spending were in accordance with statutory CSR provisions.

Though there were reports that Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka held a meeting with Singareni top officials on Friday, his office denied the same.