Bhatti Targets BRS Over Singareni Row, Accuses Opposition of Spreading Misinformation for Political Gains
MANCHERIAL, June 14 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the BRS, accusing its leaders of deliberately spreading misinformation about Singareni Collieries and insulting the hard work of thousands of workers for political gains.
Accompanied by Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Bhatti visited the Srirampur Open Cast Mine in Mancherial district and conducted an open-house inspection, which he said was aimed at exposing what he termed as the opposition’s “false propaganda” against the state-owned coal mining company.
Addressing workers and officials, the Deputy Chief Minister alleged that BRS leaders were attempting to tarnish the image of Singareni and create doubts about its functioning through baseless allegations.
“Any insult to the hard work and self-respect of Singareni workers will not be tolerated,” Bhatti asserted, accusing the opposition of targeting an institution built on the sacrifices and dedication of its workforce.
The Congress leader said the inspection was organised to place facts before the people and counter what he described as a politically motivated campaign by the BRS. He alleged that opposition leaders were making irresponsible statements and even writing to the Centre with allegations that did not reflect the ground reality.
Without naming specific leaders, Bhatti said efforts were being made to damage the reputation of Singareni for narrow political interests and warned against using Telangana’s premier public sector enterprise as a political tool.
Describing Singareni as a “crown jewel of Telangana”, he said the company belongs to the people of the state and not to any political party.
“Singareni is an asset of Telangana. Its resources, systems and strength belong to the people. The government will not allow anyone to exploit or malign the institution for political purposes,” he said.
Seeking to rebut the opposition’s allegations, Bhatti said officials had informed him that the Srirampur Open Cast Mine has coal reserves sufficient for another 28 years of production and that operations are being monitored through advanced computerised systems to ensure transparency.
The Deputy Chief Minister also used the occasion to highlight the Congress government’s welfare initiatives for Singareni workers, including improved healthcare facilities, establishment of a Cath Lab, upgradation of schools, cancer screening programmes and an accident insurance scheme providing compensation of ₹1.25 crore to workers’ families.
He said the government’s focus was on strengthening Singareni, safeguarding workers’ interests and ensuring transparency, unlike what he described as attempts by the opposition to create confusion and mistrust.
Bhatti further announced continued support for the educational aspirations of workers’ children, including financial assistance for Civil Services aspirants at all stages of the examination process.
The visit assumes political significance amid the ongoing war of words between the ruling Congress and the BRS over the management and future of Singareni Collieries, with both parties seeking to position themselves as protectors of the interests of the coal mining workforce.
The programme was attended by local MLA Prem Sagar Rao, Singareni CMD Jyoti Buddha Prakash, public representatives and company officials.
TNT TS
