Kishan Reddy Claims Credit For Allocation Of Tadicherla-II Coal Block To SCCL

HYDERABAD: Union coal minister G. Kishan Reddy on Thursday said he had persuaded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and worked for over six months to secure the “top-grade” Tadicherla-II coal block to the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

The block helds 434 million tonnes of high-quality coal reserves, capable of sustaining production of 10 million tonnes per year for 45 years, he said, addressing a press conference here. The allocation had restored fresh trust and confidence among the company’s 70,000-strong workforce, he contended.

Kishan Reddy urged the state government to refund `54,148 crore dues of coal workers to the SCCL. He said the amount included around `30,000 crore accumulated during ten years of BRS rule.

“The two governments, headed by the Congress and BRS, must ponder over whether accumulating such huge dues, earned by the sweat of Singareni workers, is right or wrong,” he said. “The current Congress government must refund the amount in the interest of the company and the welfare of employees.”

Stating that the Tadicherla coal mine contained high-quality grade-8 and grade-9 coal reserves, Kishan Reddy said he wanted SCCL to operate the mine rather than the state government handing it to private firms, as had happened previously when the 227-million-tonne Sathupalli coal mine was given away. He said Tadicherla could provide employment to over 2,000 workers for 40–45 years.

Claiming that the Tadicherla mines would be the biggest coal reserve for SCCL, Kishan Reddy noted that the Naini coal block in Odisha allocated to the SCCL has a capacity of 455 million tonnes. Together, the two mines total 795 million tonnes, ensuring a long future for SCCL and strengthening energy security for Telangana and other south Indian states.

Pointing out that the Tadicherla and Naini blocks were expected to generate a combined turnover of `2.25 lakh crore over the next 45 years, he said Tadicherla alone could deliver around `1.50 lakh crore in turnover because of its superior coal quality.

Union minister G. Kishan Reddy receives rousing welcome at Shamshabad after Tadicherla coal block allotted to Singareni

HYDERABAD: Union coal minister G. Kishan Reddy received a grand welcome at Shamshabad airport here after the Centre approved allocation of the Tadicherla coal block to the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

BJP leaders, workers, Singareni employees and supporters gathered at the airport to greet the minister.

BJP state president Ramchander Rao, who joined party workers and SCCL employees at the reception, hailed the allocation as a historic decision. In a social-media post he thanked the workers for turning out in large numbers and said the allocation reflected the Modi government’s commitment to Telangana’s development and to securing a strong future for SCCL.

In his social media post, Kishan Reddy said the Centre’s priority was to bolster the SCCL and safeguard workers’ welfare. "Strengthening the Singareni organisation and protecting the welfare of workers is the goal of the Modi government," he wrote.

Local BJP leaders said the Tadicherla allocation would have a positive impact on SCCL’s future and on the coal sector in Telangana, and will help preserve jobs and regional economic stability.