Tadicherla-II allocation to secure SCCL’s future for 50 years: Union Coal Minister Kishan Reddy
Hyderabad, July 14 (TNT): Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Tuesday said the allocation of the Tadicherla-II coal block to Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) would ensure the company’s long-term sustainability and significantly boost Telangana’s economy.
Addressing reporters during the second day of the BJP’s Singareni Bharosa Yatra at Tadicherla village, the Union Minister said the Centre’s decision had ended nearly two decades of uncertainty over the allocation of the coal block.
He said the Tadicherla-II block, with estimated reserves of 350 million metric tonnes, is the largest coal block allotted to SCCL and has the potential to sustain coal production for the next 40 to 50 years.
The project is expected to generate around 2,000 direct jobs and more than 5,000 indirect employment opportunities, besides creating livelihood opportunities in transport, hospitality, workshops and other ancillary sectors, he said.
Kishan Reddy said the coal block could generate economic activity worth around Rs 1.20 lakh crore at current market prices and provide a major impetus to industrial development in the region.
Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the allocation, the Union Minister said the Centre had completed all legal formalities before allotting the block to SCCL. He urged the company to expedite statutory clearances and commence mining operations at the earliest.
Addressing Singareni workers at Ramagundam, Kishan Reddy alleged that SCCL was facing financial stress due to pending payments.
He claimed that about Rs 18,000 crore was due from AP Genco towards coal supplied by SCCL, while another Rs 6,000 crore remained pending towards power supply dues, taking the total outstanding to around Rs 27,000 crore.
He urged the Telangana government to clear the pending dues, saying the funds rightfully belonged to SCCL and its workers.
He also alleged that both the previous BRS government and the present Congress government had failed to address the company’s financial issues.
The Union Minister said the allocation of the Tadicherla-II block was made after due legal process despite doubts raised over its feasibility and added that BJP MPs from Telangana and the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh had consistently pursued the matter with the Centre.
As part of the yatra, Kishan Reddy, accompanied by Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao and other party leaders, visited the newly allotted Tadicherla-II coal block, KTK-8 mine in Bhupalpally, Area-I mine at Ramagundam and SRP-3 mine at Rampur.
BJP Legislature Party leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy, MLA Rama Rao, MLC Anji Reddy and former MP Seetaram Naik were among those who participated.
TNT TS
