Hyderabad, Oct 16: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K T Rama Rao has demanded a probe by a sitting judge into the proposed foreign coal purchases by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and alleged corruption in Telangana under the Congress government.
Speaking at an event in Hyderabad, Rama Rao challenged Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to order an independent judicial inquiry into the allegations raised by the BRS.
KTR Raises Questions Over Foreign Coal Imports
Rama Rao said the Chief Minister had offered to order an inquiry if the opposition submitted a formal request. However, the BRS leader insisted that the government should initiate a probe by a sitting judge into the alleged irregularities.
He also demanded investigations into an alleged Rs 10,000 crore scam involving Singareni Collieries and a separate alleged solar power scam.
KTR Compares Domestic and Imported Coal Prices
The BRS leader questioned the proposed import of coal from Australia, claiming that domestic coal was significantly cheaper than imported coal.
According to Rama Rao, Singareni coal costs around Rs 3,800 per tonne, while imported coal could cost between Rs 10,000 and Rs 12,000 per tonne.
He alleged that the proposed imports could increase costs and questioned why the state government was considering foreign coal when domestic supplies were available. He also alleged that commissions were behind the proposed purchase plan. These allegations have not been independently established.
Singareni Production and Pending Dues
Rama Rao further alleged that coal production at Singareni had been reduced and claimed that approximately Rs 60,000 crore in dues to the company remained unpaid.
He questioned why Singareni was being blamed for coal shortages when, according to him, production and pending payments were major concerns.
The Singareni Collieries Company Limited is jointly owned by the Government of Telangana and the Government of India, with equity stakes of 51 per cent and 49 per cent, respectively.
KTR Targets Revanth Reddy Government
Rama Rao criticised the Chief Minister over the proposed foreign coal purchases and accused the Congress leadership of prioritising political payments over public interest.
He described Revanth Reddy as an “EMI Chief Minister” and alleged that political obligations were influencing the government’s decisions. These remarks form part of the political dispute between the BRS and the ruling Congress.
Revanth Reddy Offers Probe into Coal Import Allegations
Responding to the demand for an investigation, Revanth Reddy said on Thursday that he was ready to order a probe into the proposed imported coal purchases through an agency chosen by Rama Rao.
The Chief Minister also expressed his willingness to debate allegations of corruption.
The issue has intensified the political confrontation between the BRS and Congress in Telangana, with the opposition demanding an independent investigation into the proposed coal imports, Singareni’s financial position and other alleged irregularities.
Whether the government will order a probe by a sitting judge remains a key question in the ongoing controversy.
