Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy has written to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, alleging that 40 lakh tonnes of coal have gone missing from the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). In his letter, Kishan Reddy demanded a thorough inquiry into the irregularities and sought action against those responsible.
Allegations of Coal Theft
The Union Minister claimed that over 40 lakh tonnes of coal, valued at several thousand crores, have disappeared from SCCL mines in the state. He expressed concern over the missing coal and said that such a large-scale disappearance points to serious irregularities and possible theft.
Kishan Reddy urged the Telangana government to order a high-level probe into the matter and take strict action against the culprits. He also sought details of the coal production, dispatch, and stock records from SCCL to ascertain the exact quantum of missing coal.
Political Implications
The issue has taken a political turn with Kishan Reddy, a senior BJP leader, accusing the state government of negligence. He said that the missing coal is a loss to the national exchequer and demanded that the state government ensure accountability.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is yet to respond to the letter. The state government has not made any official statement on the allegations so far.
SCCL's Role
SCCL is a joint venture between the Government of Telangana and the Government of India, with the state government holding a majority stake. The company is one of the largest coal producers in the country and supplies coal to various power plants and industries.
The missing coal has raised questions about the management and oversight of the company. Opposition parties have also demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
