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Why are coal supplies falling short? What is the role of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL)? And can new coal supply agreements prevent a possible power shortage? In this Telangana Today explainer, Sreenivas Reddy examines the coal stock situation, the debate over coal procurement and imports, and the competing allegations by the Congress government and BRS Working President KT Rama Rao.

Telangana’s thermal power stations reportedly have coal stocks for barely nine days against a 21-day requirement. Yadadri has supplies for five days, while questions persist over coal procurement, stock management, alternative supplies and the government’s preparedness to maintain power generation.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao alleged that Telangana’s power crisis was being used to facilitate expensive coal imports through a proposed deal with Bothra Logistics. He demanded a white paper and an independent probe, while questioning Singareni’s falling production and nearly Rs 60,000 crore in reported outstanding dues.

BRS MLC Dasoju Sravan demanded Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s resignation over Telangana’s power crisis. He sought a probe into alleged coal irregularities at Singareni, compensation for farmers with burnt-out motors and answers from the government at an all-party meeting.

Coal miners have expressed disappointment over the Telangana government’s decision to announce a 34 per cent share of SCCL’s annual profits. Workers expected Rs 2 lakh each but will receive an average of Rs 1.53 lakh, prompting criticism from miners and trade unions.

Former BRS MP B Vinod Kumar opposed the proposed open-cast coal mine at Venkatapuram village near Ramappa Temple in Mulugu district. He urged the Centre and State government to scrap the proposal, citing concerns over the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Workers at SCCL’s Main Hospital in Kothagudem have demanded an MRI facility, pointing out that a building constructed for the service has remained unused for nearly a year. Patients requiring MRI scans are being referred to private hospitals and diagnostic centres.

Thousands of Singareni Collieries employees are awaiting the announcement of the company’s 2025-26 net profit and profit-share bonus. TBGKS demanded an immediate declaration and a 40 per cent bonus, opposing deductions from net profits towards expansion investments

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka urged the Centre to allocate all Godavari Valley coal blocks exclusively to SCCL, opposed auctions in tribal areas, and said the Tadicherla-2 approval was a delayed mining lease for a block allotted in 2013.

Mancherial is witnessing a rise in illegal scrap trading involving iron and copper allegedly stolen from SCCL, Indian Railways and other public sector undertakings. Police have registered cases, arrested key accused and intensified efforts to dismantle the organised racket.

Fresh questions have emerged in the SCCL coal discrepancy controversy, with overburden removal data indicating possible inconsistencies in production figures. Sources and experts have called for an independent audit of coal production, stock and mine-wise overburden removal records.

SCCL's latest operational data has triggered fresh questions over alleged inflated coal stock records, a sharp decline in production and a simultaneous record in productivity. The Opposition has demanded an independent probe into the nearly 40 lakh tonnes of allegedly unaccounted coal.

SCCL Chairman and Managing Director Dr Buddhaprakash Jyoti marked World Environment Day by planting saplings and urging people to reduce plastic usage, plant more trees and promote greenery. Plantation drives, awareness programmes and competitions were organised across all SCCL areas.

SCCL's first Battery Energy Storage System in Telangana has delivered encouraging results, helping store surplus solar power and generate savings of Rs. 25.66 lakh. The project has improved energy utilisation and may pave the way for more renewable energy initiatives.

Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met Union Minister G Kishan Reddy in New Delhi and sought Central support for Singareni expansion plans, coal gasification initiatives, Koyyagudem Block-III allocation and faster processing of the Tadicherla Block-III mining lease.

Singareni Collieries Company Limited is facing financial stress due to pending bills worth over Rs 21,000 crore from power generation units. Delayed payments, rising costs and fund diversion concerns may impact salaries, welfare activities and future expansion plans.

SCCL executives are awaiting clearance of Rs.277 crore in performance related pay for 2022-23 and 2023-24, with the State government yet to approve the disbursal, prompting concerns and possible protests by officers’ associations.

The Telangana Mineral Development Corporation is facing criticism for allegedly failing to curb illegal sand mining and transportation from a Godavari river quarry in the Chennur constituency, with irregularities including diversion of sand consignments and collection of illegal charges

Singareni workers have alleged neglect by SCCL management for failing to provide sweaters to opencast mine employees despite falling temperatures. Trade union leaders criticised the company for spending crores on events while ignoring basic worker welfare measures

Singareni Collieries Company Limited celebrated its Formation Day across the country. In-charge CMD D Krishna Bhaskar highlighted workers’ contribution, safety and welfare, future plans in critical minerals and renewable energy, and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to social responsibility.