KTR sticks to his guns on Amrut tenders scandal

KTR called on the government to respond immediately if they believed his statements are incorrect, emphasizing the need for workers to recognize and fight against any potential privatization efforts.

Hyderabad: Sticking to his guns, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao has thrown down the gauntlet to Minister for Revenue, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy challenging him to prove there was no wrongdoing in the Amrut 2.0 tenders. He offered to quit politics if he was proved wrong on his allegation that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s family was behind the Rs.8888 crore scam.

Addressing a news conference at Telangana Bhavan here on Sunday, he called for an immediate inquiry by a sitting judge or by referring it to the High Court Chief Justice. Coming down heavily on the Minister for his bid to defend the Chief Minister in the issue, he said he was ready to approach the High Court Chief Justice seeking a judicial probe into the scam. If the Minister had a difficulty in approaching the Chief Justice, he could approach the Central Chief Vigilance Commissioner. The Minister could join him at a time of his convenience to approach either of the two, while emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. He wanted cancellation of the tenders if any wrongdoing was found.

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KTR also highlighted the progress made by Singareni Collieries under the BRS rule, noting significant increases in profits. He contrasted this with the previous governments, stating that the Congress and TDP governments in the past could share the profits made by the company were minimal.

Under the BRS government, profits have crossed the thousand-crore mark, with Rs. 2,780 crore given to workers over nine and a half years.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, workers received a 32 percent share of Singareni’s profits, averaging Rs. 60,000 per worker. He accused the Congress government of misleading the public by claiming to be sharing 33 percent with the coal workers, while actually providing only 16 percent. He urged the Congress to be honest about their contributions.

He sounded a caution to the workforce of the SCCL that unless they take a strong stand to safeguard their interests, they would be playing into the hands of the forces which were out to privatise the company.

He wanted to be wary of the machinations of the BJP which was supporting the privatisation moves and the Congress government in the State that was proved to be supportive of such privatisation plans, he said the coal workers who voted for the Congress in the coal belt, should question the MLAs on the failure of the government to fulfill the promise of sharing 33 per cent of the profit with them. The CPI and its affiliated AITUC, which was the recognised trade union of the company should also respond on the issue.

Rama Rao called on the government to respond immediately if they believed his statements are incorrect, emphasizing the need for workers to recognize and fight against any potential privatization efforts.