Kishan Reddy announces Tadicharla-2 coal block allocation to Singareni in Kothagudem

On Monday, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy addressed a public gathering in the district headquarters town of Kothagudem, highlighting the Centre's direct allocation of the Tadicharla-2 coal block to the state-run Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) and criticizing both the BRS and Congress parties for alleged negligence.

Speaking during his 'Singareni Bharosa Yatra' in Kothagudem, Reddy stated that the NDA government bypassed the standard auction process to directly allocate the Tadicharla-2 coal block to SCCL. This direct allocation serves as an exception to the 2014 Supreme Court mandate, which requires all coal blocks to be distributed via auctions following a coal scam during the previous UPA administration.

The minister noted that the newly allocated coal block is expected to help SCCL sustain its coal production for approximately 40 to 50 years, while also supporting the welfare of its workers. He emphasized that SCCL is the only coal mining company to receive a block without going through the auction process.

According to Reddy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to allocate the Tadicharla-2 block to SCCL following his representation, after a formal clearance was secured from the Ministry of Law. He accused the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government of being responsible for a decline in Singareni's production, revenue, and employee numbers, alleging that former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao barred SCCL from participating in auctions for new blocks.

The minister also targeted the current Congress government and the previous BRS regime for allegedly misusing SCCL funds. He claimed that the Congress government diverted the mining firm's money to sponsor a football match in Hyderabad featuring global legend Lionel Messi.

Reddy further criticized both governments for withholding payments for coal supplied to the state's power generation corporation, stating that the outstanding dues accumulated under previous governments have now touched Rs 54,000 crores.

Although the Union government holds a 49 per cent equity stake in SCCL—with the Telangana government holding the remaining 51 per cent—Reddy clarified that the Centre is not involved in the company's daily administration. He assured that the Centre would continue to support SCCL and the development of railways in the region.