BJP Alleges Cover-Up in Singareni Coal Scam, Targets Revanth Reddy Government
Hyderabad, June 20 (TNT): Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Saturday accused the Congress government in the state of attempting to suppress the truth behind the alleged disappearance of 45 lakh metric tonnes of coal from Singareni Collieries .
He charged Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy with resorting to political attacks to divert attention from the issue.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office here, Rao strongly condemned the police for denying permission to a BJP fact-finding team to visit the Singareni mines and investigate reports of large-scale coal irregularities.
The BJP leader alleged that the state government was targeting Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy in an effort to shield those responsible for the alleged scam.
He said the BJP delegation, comprising Legislature Party leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy, MLAs and MLCs, was prevented from visiting the mines despite seeking to ascertain facts relating to media reports on the disappearance of coal.
Rao maintained that while the Centre holds a 49 per cent stake in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), the Telangana Government, which owns 51 per cent, exercises administrative control over the corporation.
He said Kishan Reddy had merely sought transparency by writing to the Chief Minister demanding a probe into the alleged irregularities.
“If there is nothing to hide, why was the BJP fact-finding team stopped from visiting the mines?” Rao asked, demanding that the government identify those responsible for the alleged coal theft.
The BJP state chief also launched a sharp attack on the Congress government’s handling of the education sector, alleging that government schools were facing an infrastructure crisis and administrative neglect.
He criticised reports of “No Admission” boards being displayed in government schools and alleged that the rationalisation policy was pushing many institutions towards closure.
Claiming that over 90 per cent of government schools lacked adequate infrastructure, including separate toilets for girl students, Rao said textbooks and uniforms were yet to be supplied even weeks after the commencement of the academic year.
The BJP leader further questioned the state government over the condition of Osmania University, alleging that the promised Rs 1,000 crore allocation for the institution had not materialised. He expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of university hostels and demanded their immediate reconstruction.
Turning to the agrarian sector, Rao accused the Congress government of failing to address farmers’ concerns, particularly delays in grain procurement. He criticised remarks attributed to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding procurement and alleged that farmers were being subjected to unnecessary hardship.
Rao also rejected Congress allegations against the BJP, stating that the Congress had no moral authority to accuse other parties of undermining democracy, recalling its role during the Emergency period.
Demanding that the Congress government fulfil its election promises, he called for immediate measures to strengthen public education, address farmers’ grievances and ensure transparency in the functioning of public sector institutions.
On the occasion, entrepreneur Phani Kumar, associated with the mining, exports and waste-to-energy sectors, joined the BJP.
Welcoming him into the party, Rao said professionals and entrepreneurs were increasingly being drawn to the BJP’s governance model under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
TNT TS
