SCCL Leadership Vacuum: Telangana's Coal Giant Stalls Green Energy Push
Hyderabad: The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), a major coal producer and one of India's most profitable public sector undertakings, has been functioning without a full-time chairman and managing director for the past one-and-a-half months. This leadership vacuum emerges at a critical juncture when the Telangana government is aggressively pushing SCCL beyond traditional coal mining into ambitious green energy projects and critical mineral exploration.
Leadership Gap and Government Concerns
Following the relief of Singareni CMD N Balram from state deputation in the second week of December 2025, D Krishna Bhaskar, the CMD of Telangana Transco, was appointed as the in-charge CMD. However, the absence of a permanent, full-fledged CMD has raised significant concerns within government circles. Officials report stalled decision-making processes and a noticeable lack of momentum on key strategic initiatives, hampering the company's transition to new energy sectors.
Sources within the government reveal that several senior officers have shown reluctance to assume the CMD position, partly due to controversies surrounding the Naini coal block mining tenders and other operational issues. Traditionally regarded as one of the most sought-after roles in the state, the position previously attracted multiple senior contenders, including principal secretary-rank officers, IPS officers, and secretary-level officials, even drawing interest from officers in Rajasthan. However, in the past two weeks, no officer has stepped forward to take charge, creating an unprecedented leadership void.
Potential Return of N Balram
In response to this impasse, the Telangana government is actively considering bringing back N Balram, an Indian Revenue Service officer, to resume his role as CMD. The state is keen on appointing a senior and experienced officer to navigate SCCL through its expansion phase. If his services are required again, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is likely to write to the Centre, which holds a 49% equity stake in SCCL, seeking Balram's deputation. The final decision on the CMD appointment is expected to be taken by CM Revanth Reddy in consultation with Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka before formal communication with the central government.
Impact on Green Energy and Mineral Projects
The leadership gap has already slowed progress on several key government initiatives linked to SCCL's diversification. The state has established Singareni Green Energy Ltd to focus on solar power, battery storage, thermal energy, and other green projects. Additionally, Singareni Global Ltd was set up in October last year to pursue critical mineral exploration. Despite SCCL recently obtaining exploration licences for gold and copper in Karnataka, follow-up actions remain pending due to the leadership vacuum.
A senior government official emphasized, "Both the companies need to be listed immediately to attract investments and accelerate project implementation."
Pending Agreements and Missed Opportunities
SCCL has signed an agreement with the Rajasthan government for 1,500 MW of solar power generation, which has been approved by the Rajasthan state cabinet but awaits clearance from the Telangana government. Construction plans for 800 MW projects at Jaipur and Mancherial, along with their detailed project reports, also remain in limbo, as admitted by a senior SCCL official.
Meanwhile, SCCL failed to secure tenders for several recently auctioned mineral blocks, including vanadium, graphite, rare earth elements, and associated minerals. This setback highlights the operational challenges faced in the absence of decisive leadership, potentially delaying Telangana's strategic moves in the critical minerals sector.
The ongoing leadership crisis at SCCL underscores the urgent need for a permanent CMD to steer the company through its transformative phase, balancing traditional coal mining with innovative green energy and mineral exploration ventures.
