Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao on Wednesday, 14 October demanded an independent investigation — by the CBI or a sitting judge — into an alleged ₹10,000-crore scam in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), accusing the Congress government in Telangana of systematic financial mismanagement at the state-owned coal mining firm.

Key Allegations Against the Congress Government

Speaking at the Singareni Karmika Garjana public meeting organised by the BRS at Godavarikhani in Peddapalli district, Rama Rao alleged serious irregularities in the Naini coal block tenders, site visit certificates, opencast mine contracts, and machinery procurement. He accused the Telangana Congress government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of encouraging corruption, commission-driven contracts, and financial mismanagement within SCCL.

Rama Rao further claimed that ₹6,317 crore had been diverted over two financial years and that approximately 40 lakh metric tonnes of coal had allegedly gone missing. He demanded a comprehensive audit of the company's accounts and the public disclosure of coal production, stock, and transportation records.

The Naini Tender Controversy

Referring to claims that the cancellation of the Naini coal block tenders had saved ₹30,000 crore, the BRS leader questioned who had allegedly sought to benefit from the deal and why the tender process had been repeatedly delayed. He alleged the site visit certificate system was being systematically misused, with tender decisions favouring contractors at the expense of SCCL's financial health.

Notably, Rama Rao also questioned why neither the Centre nor the state had initiated an independent inquiry despite these serious allegations, pointing to what he described as a failure of oversight at both levels of government.

Workers' Rights and Pending Dues

Rama Rao strongly defended SCCL's workforce, alleging that the Congress government had failed to honour its commitments on profit-sharing benefits. He recalled that the previous K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) government had doubled workers' profit share from 16 per cent to 32 per cent, and demanded immediate release of the rightful profit share, bonuses, and other pending benefits.

He also claimed the state government owed nearly ₹60,000 crore to Singareni and warned that delayed payments were affecting the company's ability to maintain essential mining equipment. He additionally called for speedy resolution of issues related to dependent employment, medical boards, and land pattas for workers.

'If the government fails to release the workers' rightful profit share and bonus, we will lay siege to the residences of Congress MLAs and Ministers,' Rama Rao warned.

Privatisation Warning and Political Escalation

Accusing both the Telangana Congress government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government of failing to protect public sector interests, Rama Rao cautioned against any move to privatise Singareni. He argued the company was built on generations of miners' sacrifices and must remain a public sector institution serving Telangana and its people.

The BRS leader declared that the party would continue its agitation until the alleged corruption is independently investigated, workers receive their full dues, and SCCL's future as a public enterprise is secured. With the BRS seeking to reclaim political ground following its 2023 election defeat, the Singareni issue is shaping up as a key mobilisation front for the party ahead of future electoral contests.