Centre Will Allocate Coal Blocks to Singareni for Revival, Says Kishan
Referring to past allocations, he said when GENCO was awarded the Tadicherla-1 captive mine, it was later handed over to private companies instead of SCCL.
Hyderabad: Union coal and mines minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday said the Centre has initiated steps to allocate strategic coal blocks to the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), while pursuing resolution of legal issues related to the Tadicherla-2 block.
Addressing reporters in New Delhi, the minister said efforts are under way to secure the allotment of the Prakasam Open Cast (PKOC) Dip Side Extension to SCCL. He said the Tadicherla-2, PKOC and Naini blocks together could generate about 830 million tonnes of coal, create around 6,500 jobs, yield an estimated turnover of Rs 1.95 lakh crore for SCCL and contribute nearly Rs 40,000 crore to the state exchequer.
Kishan Reddy said Tadicherla-2 has extractable reserves of 340 million tonnes, the Naini block has 455 million tonnes, and PKOC Dip Side Extension has about 120 million tonnes. He urged the Telangana government to ensure that PKOC Dip Side Extension tenders favour SCCL and cautioned against Telangana GENCO participating in bids for competing blocks. He said he would write to the Chief Minister seeking action to secure these allocations for SCCL.
Referring to past allocations, he said when GENCO was awarded the Tadicherla-1 captive mine, it was later handed over to private companies instead of SCCL.
Listing the Centre’s interventions, the minister said the Union government remains committed to strengthening SCCL’s output, employment and revenue. He alleged that the previous BRS government in the state and the earlier UPA government at the Centre neglected the company, resulting in substantial dues.
Arguing that SCCL was treated as a gold mine by some state governments, Kishan Reddy said that successive BRS and Congress governments failed to allocate new blocks or clear payments, leaving dues of about Rs 54,000 crore.
Kishan Reddy said earlier central measures, including moratorium relief and financial support, helped revive SCCL from BIFR, and added that the current policy focuses on transparent allocation of coal blocks. He cited the allocation of the Naini block in Odisha in 2015 and said production commenced in 2024 after obtaining clearances.
On the Public Exams (Prevention of Malpractice) Bill, 2026, the minister defended the legislation and criticised the Congress for opposing reforms. He accused the Opposition of politicising student protests and questioned its record on governance.
