Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, has written to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, demanding a thorough inquiry into the alleged disappearance of 40 lakh tonnes of coal from the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). In his letter, Kishan Reddy termed the incident a serious matter that requires immediate investigation to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable.
Allegations of Coal Theft
The Union Minister highlighted that a significant quantity of coal, estimated at 40 lakh tonnes, has gone missing from SCCL's stockyards. He pointed out that this loss not only represents a huge financial setback but also raises questions about the management and security protocols at the coal company. Kishan Reddy urged the Chief Minister to order a high-level probe into the matter, involving central agencies if necessary.
Political Implications
The issue has taken a political turn, with the BJP accusing the state government of negligence. Kishan Reddy, a senior BJP leader from Telangana, emphasized that the missing coal could have been illegally sold or diverted, causing a loss of revenue to the state exchequer. He demanded that the state government take immediate steps to prevent any further disappearance of coal and ensure strict action against the culprits.
Response from State Government
As of now, the Telangana government has not officially responded to the allegations. However, sources indicate that the Chief Minister's office is reviewing the letter and may order an internal investigation. The SCCL management has denied any wrongdoing, stating that the coal stocks are regularly audited and that the discrepancy might be due to measurement errors or natural losses.
Background of SCCL
Singareni Collieries Company Limited is a government-owned coal mining company jointly owned by the Government of Telangana and the Government of India. It is one of the major coal producers in the country, supplying coal to various sectors including power generation and industries. The company has faced allegations of mismanagement and corruption in the past, but this is the first time such a large-scale disappearance of coal has been reported.
The Union Minister's demand for an inquiry has put the spotlight on the functioning of SCCL and the state government's oversight. It remains to be seen how the Telangana government will handle this issue, which has the potential to become a major political controversy.
