Coal Minister Kishan Reddy writes to Telangana CM over Singareni coal missing reports
Synopsis
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy has written to Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy demanding an urgent probe into media reports alleging 40 lakh tonnes of coal worth ₹1,600 crore went missing from Singareni Collieries, citing ₹51,500 crore in unpaid dues and the welfare of over 40,000 workers.
Key Takeaways
Kishan Reddy , Union Coal and Mines Minister, wrote to Telangana CM A.
Revanth Reddy on June 13, 2026 seeking an urgent inquiry.
Media reports allege approximately 40 lakh tonnes of coal worth ₹1,600 crore has gone missing from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) .
The minister cited outstanding government dues of over ₹51,500 crore as evidence that SCCL is already under severe financial strain.
Kishan Reddy called for immediate tightening of security at Singareni facilities alongside the inquiry.
SCCL employs over 40,000 workers ; the minister stressed protecting their welfare and the company's future as a collective responsibility.
SCCL is a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Telangana , giving the Centre a direct governance stake in the matter.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Saturday, June 13, 2026, wrote to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy demanding an urgent inquiry into media reports alleging the disappearance of approximately 40 lakh tonnes of coal worth nearly ₹1,600 crore from the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).
Context
In his post on X, Minister Kishan Reddy wrote — 'సింగరేణి సంస్థ నుండి దాదాపు ₹1,600 కోట్ల విలువైన 40 లక్షల టన్నుల బొగ్గు మాయమైందన్న మీడియా వార్తలపై అత్యవసర విచారణ జరపాలని తెలంగాణ ముఖ్యమంత్రి రేవంత్ రెడ్డి గారిని లేఖ రాశాను' — roughly translated: 'I have written a letter to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy demanding an emergency inquiry into media reports of approximately 40 lakh tonnes of coal worth ₹1,600 crore going missing from the Singareni organisation.'
The minister also cited outstanding government dues to SCCL exceeding ₹51,500 crore, describing the company as already under severe financial stress. He urged the Chief Minister to immediately order an inquiry into the alleged irregularities and tighten security at the company's facilities.
Policy Backdrop
Singareni Collieries Company Limited is a joint-venture coal mining company between the Government of India and the Government of Telangana, operating major mines in the Godavari valley. The company employs over 40,000 workers and is a critical supplier to Telangana's power utilities.
Payment delays from state power distribution companies to coal producers have been a recurring source of financial stress for SCCL for over a decade. The company's joint-venture structure means both the Centre and the state government share governance responsibility, making disputes between the two administrations particularly consequential for operations.
Stakeholders and Impact
Minister Kishan Reddy, who also serves as BJP Telangana state president, underlined in his post that protecting the welfare of Singareni's 40,000-plus workers and their families, as well as the future of the organisation itself, is 'the responsibility of all of us.' The statement signals concern beyond the political dimension, pointing to the livelihoods of tens of thousands of mining families in the Godavari coal belt.
Allegations of coal pilferage and calls for security audits have periodically surfaced in Indian coal-producing regions, and when directed at a state-run entity, they carry added weight given the Centre's oversight role on coal production and safety norms under the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act.
What's Next
The immediate focus will be on whether the Telangana Chief Minister's Office responds formally to Kishan Reddy's letter or constitutes an inquiry committee. Any escalation could also surface in the Telangana state assembly or trigger a formal discussion between the state government and the Ministry of Coal on SCCL's outstanding dues.
With a Union minister publicly flagging alleged irregularities in a joint-venture public sector company, the episode is likely to intensify scrutiny of SCCL's financial management and internal audit processes — and could shape the broader conversation around Centre-state coordination in the coal sector ahead of the next legislative session.
Point of View
He occupies a dual vantage point that allows him to simultaneously invoke ministerial oversight and opposition accountability. The invocation of ₹51,500 crore in unpaid dues frames the alleged coal disappearance not as an isolated incident but as part of a pattern of financial mismanagement under the Congress-led state government. By foregrounding the welfare of 40,000-plus workers, the BJP sharpens a narrative that could resonate in constituencies across the Godavari coal belt ahead of any future electoral cycle. The episode fits a broader pattern of Centre-state friction over the governance of jointly held public sector enterprises in opposition-ruled states.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Singareni coal missing controversy?
Media reports have alleged that approximately 40 lakh tonnes of coal worth around ₹1,600 crore has gone missing from Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Telangana. Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy has written to the Telangana Chief Minister demanding an urgent inquiry into these reports.
Who owns Singareni Collieries Company Limited?
SCCL is a joint-venture company owned by the Government of India and the Government of Telangana. It operates major coal mines in the Godavari valley and employs over 40,000 workers.
What are the dues owed to Singareni Collieries?
According to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy's letter, government dues to SCCL exceed ₹51,500 crore, which he cited as evidence of the company's severe financial stress even before the alleged coal pilferage.
What action has Kishan Reddy demanded from the Telangana government?
Kishan Reddy has urged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to immediately order an inquiry into the alleged irregularities and tighten security at Singareni Collieries' facilities.
How many workers are employed at Singareni Collieries?
Singareni Collieries Company Limited employs over 40,000 workers. Minister Kishan Reddy specifically highlighted protecting their welfare and families as a shared national responsibility.
