Singareni trade unions seek contract jobs for land evacuees in VK opencast mine

The Singareni Trade Unions JAC has demanded priority employment for land evacuees of the defunct GK OC mine at the new VK OC project. They alleged the recruiting agency is ignoring locals, prompting protests and union petitions to SCCL officials

Kothagudem: The Singareni Contract Trade Unions Joint Action Committee (JAC) has urged the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to prioritise employment of land evacuees from the Gautham Khani Opencast (GK OC) mine in upcoming recruitment for contract jobs at the new Venkatesh Khani Opencast (VK OC) mine in Kothagudem.

According to the JAC, nearly 600 workers from families displaced by the GK OC mine closure in 2018 had earlier worked as contract labourers in the same mine. However, many were left jobless after mining operations ceased.

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With SCCL preparing to commence coal production at VK OC, the JAC demanded that these displaced workers be given first preference for contract jobs. Speaking to Telangana Today, Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) leader Namilla Sanjeev Kumar stated that SCCL has awarded the recruitment contract to Saudha Infra Pvt. Ltd., a private agency.

“Instead of prioritising land evacuees, the agency has been collecting applications from outsiders,” Sanjeev Kumar alleged. “The displaced workers, who lost both their livelihoods and land, are now protesting the agency’s unfair hiring practices.”

He noted that many families struggled with homelessness, mounting debts, and lack of income during the pandemic after losing work in 2018. The launch of VK OC had raised hopes among the affected families, but the hiring of non-locals has now left them disheartened.

Sanjeev Kumar said representatives of various trade unions—including Mohan (INTUC), M. Ravi (BMS), Anjaneyulu (HMS), Ravi Goud (TNTUC), Yakaiah (CKHPS), and Shiva (BWBS)—met SCCL Kothagudem Area General Manager Shalem Raju and submitted a petition demanding jobs for the evacuees.

“The GM responded positively and assured us that contract jobs will be provided to land evacuees. However, if any injustice is done, we will be forced to launch serious protests,” he warned.