Harish Rao alleges multi-crore scams in Singareni, demands CBI probe

BRS leader T Harish Rao accused the Congress government of corruption and mismanagement in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), alleging inflated contracts, irregular power projects, and concealment of coal stocks.

Bhupalpally: BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao levelled serious allegations of corruption and political interference against the Congress government in the functioning of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), stating that the public sector coal miner was being pushed into financial distress through irregularities in contracts, power projects and procurement practices.

Harish Rao along with BRS leaders attempted to enter the OC-2 mine in Bhupalpally on Friday. He demanded that officials show the coal stocks allegedly existing only on paper. However, the police prevented them from entering the mining area, leading to tension, before the BRS leaders returned to the party office.

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Addressing a Singareni workers’ meeting at the BRS office in Bhupalpally, Harish Rao presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining multiple scams in the coal major. He charged the Congress government with pushing a successful mining company into a debt trap, with corruption spreading across contracts, procurement and project execution. He accused the government of neglecting workers’ welfare and warned that continued mismanagement could eventually pave the way for privatisation.

Among the allegations, he highlighted a site visit certificate scam, stating that a newly introduced tender condition benefited select contractors and resulted in hundreds of crores of rupees in additional costs. He alleged that several overburden removal contracts that earlier attracted below-estimate bids were now being awarded at higher rates, causing losses to SCCL.

Harish Rao also alleged irregularities in solar power projects, pointing out that contracts for 67 MW and 107 MW plants were awarded at inflated costs despite the absence of power purchase agreements (PPAs). He questioned why projects worth hundreds of crores remained non-operational years after completion.

The BRS leader raised concerns over a proposed thermal power expansion at Jaipur in Mancherial district, stating that tenders were floated without statutory approvals and that over Rs 1,000 crore had already been spent on the project.

Accusing the government of concealing coal stock figures, Harish Rao said nearly 40 lakh tonnes of coal were unaccounted for and demanded a physical verification of inventories. He also listed out irregularities in explosives procurement, alleging substantial price variations that resulted in significant losses to the company.

He said coal production declined from about 70 million tonnes in 2023 to 58 million tonnes in 2025-26, while outstanding dues owed to Singareni had risen sharply. He stated changes in diesel procurement practices were causing additional financial burden on the company.

On workers’ issues, Harish Rao accused the Congress government of failing to fulfil promises relating to compassionate appointments and welfare measures. He said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka’s announcement on pending appointments on Friday, was the result of sustained pressure from workers and the BRS.

He said the party would raise the issue during the upcoming Assembly session and continue its campaign to protect Singareni from corruption and privatisation.