KTR seeks judicial probe into proposed foreign coal imports

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao demanded a probe by a sitting judge into alleged irregularities in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and the proposed import of foreign coal.

His demand comes after the Chief Minister, A Revanth Reddy, asked Mr. Rao to suggest what kind of enquiry he would seek into the allegations made by the latter through an open letter.

Mr. Rao made the demand at a meeting of the BRS workers of Narsampet Assembly constituency and challenged the Chief Minister to order a judicial inquiry not only into the allegations concerning Singareni and foreign coal purchases, but also into other alleged irregularities raised by the BRS against his government.

The BRS working president accused the government of weakening Singareni and creating conditions that would necessitate expensive coal imports. While coal from Singareni cost around ₹3,800 a tonne, imported coal could cost between ₹10,000 and ₹12,000 a tonne, he claimed, alleging that the proposed purchases from Australia were intended to facilitate commissions.

He alleged that the government was first allowing a crisis to develop and then citing the shortage to justify coal imports and power purchases. He also alleged that the government had failed to clear substantial dues to Singareni, putting the figure at about ₹60,000 crore, while blaming the company for inadequate coal supplies.

Mr. Rao said the Congress had criticised the previous BRS government’s arrangement with the Chhattisgarh government, under which power was purchased at ₹3.90 a unit, as a scam. The present government, he alleged, was contemplating purchases at a much higher rate citing shortage of power.

Mr. Rao contrasted the water situation in Telangana with Andhra Pradesh, alleging that while the neighbouring State had taken steps to utilise water through projects such as Pattiseema, the Telangana government failed to utilise the water.