Workers’ Welfare, Expansion of Singareni Operations Top Priorities: Telangana Dy CM Bhatti
In a festive greetings message issued from Singareni Bhavan on Saturday on the occasion of Bathukamma, Dasara and Diwali, he extended his wishes to Singareni workers, employees, officers, trade union representatives and their families.
Vikramarka said the State government was taking steps to secure new coal mines and expand Singareni’s operations in thermal power, solar energy and other sectors to ensure its long-term sustainability amid changes in the coal market.
Highlighting the contribution of workers operating in underground and opencast mines, he said coal production played a vital role in meeting Telangana’s power requirements and supporting the State’s development.
He urged employees to ensure uninterrupted coal supplies to power plants, particularly in view of climate-related challenges such as El Niño.
He stressed the need to supply quality coal at competitive prices, improve productivity and curb unnecessary expenditure to strengthen Singareni’s competitiveness.
Workers and management should coordinate effectively and make optimum use of machinery during available working hours, he said, adding that safety must not be compromised to meet production targets.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the government was according priority to securing new mines to strengthen the 137-year-old organisation and preserve it for future generations.
Necessary approvals for the Naini coal mine in Odisha had been obtained and production had commenced, while the mining lease for the Tadicherla-2 block had been secured.
The Manuguru Prakasham Khani Open Cast-2 Dip Side block had also been secured through auction, he said.
Efforts were under way to regain the Sathupalli-3 and Koyagudem-3 blocks. The government was also exploring opportunities to expand Singareni into power generation, renewable energy and the mining of gold, copper and other critical minerals, he added.
Workers’ welfare measures
Vikramarka said directions had been issued at a recent review meeting to resolve long-pending employee issues. The company had been asked to expedite the appointment process in around 250 to 300 pending dependent-employment cases and consider discrepancies in names with a humanitarian approach.
He said officials had also been directed to accelerate housing benefits for eligible employees on Singareni land. An action plan was being prepared to establish Nehru Housing Colonies to help workers realise their aspiration of owning homes.
The government was focusing on replacing dilapidated quarters with new housing and improving workers’ colonies. Cath Lab facilities had been established to strengthen access to advanced medical care, while the management had been asked to distribute safety kits every six months and address concerns over income tax on perks and allowances.
Referring to profit-sharing, Vikramarka said 34 per cent of Singareni’s net profit of Rs 1,754 crore in the last financial year, amounting to approximately Rs 596 crore, had been distributed to workers as a bonus. Each eligible regular employee received an average of Rs 1,53,912, while contract workers received Rs 5,500 each.
Sharing the company’s profits with workers recognised their contribution to its growth, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said expanding Singareni was the government’s responsibility, while workers and employees had a crucial role in strengthening the organisation through hard work and unity.
He called for protecting the institution built by previous generations and developing it further for the benefit of future generations.
TNT TS
