Centre's Technical Team to Investigate Six Key Aspects of Singareni Collieries

Centre's Technical Team to Investigate Six Key Aspects of Singareni Collieries

A two-member technical committee appointed by the central government has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive investigation into six critical aspects of the Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL). The team, which concluded a two-day field visit to the mining operations over the weekend, is expected to submit a detailed report within the next two days.

Committee Composition and Field Visit

The technical team comprises Chetna Shukla, deputy director general of the Ministry of Coal, and Marapally Venkateshwarlu, director. During their intensive field visit on Saturday and Sunday, they thoroughly explored various mining operations and site conditions. Upon completing their assessments, the team departed for Delhi on Sunday evening, accompanied by Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy.

Six-Point Investigation Agenda

According to highly placed sources, the committee will focus on six pivotal points that have raised concerns about governance and operational transparency at SCCL:

1. Tender Process Examination: The team will investigate the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) dated November 28, 2025, concerning the selection of a mine developer and operator for the Naini coal block in Odisha. Their analysis will include the reasons behind the tender's cancellation and a comparative study of best practices followed by other coal companies in formulating NITs for mine developer operators.
2. Outstanding Coal Dues: The second area of focus involves examining the outstanding coal dues owed by SCCL to its consumers, which has become a significant financial concern.
3. District Mineral Foundation Dues: The committee will address pending dues to the District Mineral Foundation, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations.
4. CSR Spending Alignment: As the fourth aspect, the team will evaluate whether the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending patterns and amounts align with statutory provisions governing CSR activities.
5. Tripartite Agreement Review: The fifth focus area involves a detailed review of the tripartite agreement between SCCL, the central government, and the Telangana government, examining its implementation and compliance aspects.
6. Coal Pricing Analysis: Finally, the team will examine coal prices and the resulting hesitance among consumers to procure coal from SCCL, which has impacted the company's market position.

Governance Concerns and Ministerial Directions

Preliminary insights from the investigation indicate that several significant decisions were made without adequately informing the Singareni Board, raising questions about corporate governance practices. During a review meeting with SCCL officials over the weekend, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy urged his team to explore strategies aimed at reducing the cost of coal from SCCL.

The minister reportedly provided several suggestions based on examples from other coal mining operations across the nation, emphasizing the need for operational efficiency and competitive pricing. The technical team's investigation will not only address the tender issue but also scrutinize the broader agreement framework between Telangana, the Centre, and the company.

With the report submission deadline set for within two days, stakeholders await the committee's findings, which could have significant implications for SCCL's future operations and governance structure. The investigation represents a crucial step in addressing long-standing concerns about transparency and efficiency in one of India's major coal mining enterprises.