Submits representation on alleged Singareni Scam

A delegation of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leaders, including Working President K.T. Rama Rao, former Minister T. Harish Rao, MLAs, MLCs, and MPs, met Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at Lok Bhavan on Tuesday to submit a detailed representation highlighting alleged irregularities and corruption in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) under the Congress government. The delegation presented evidence of governance failures, financial losses, and misuse of public funds, urging the Governor's intervention for a thorough probe.

In the representation given to the Governor, BRS accused SCCL of deviating from established PSU norms since December 2023 in tendering, procurement, policy decisions, and CSR activities. Key concerns include the introduction of a mandatory "Site Visit Confirmation Certificate" for Open Cast (OB) tenders from May 2025, which lacks precedent in SCCL or comparable PSUs like Coal India. This condition allegedly restricted competition, with certificates selectively issued to a few agencies, leading to backdated approvals and tenders awarded at rates exceeding estimates. For instance, the Bhupalpally tender in January 2025 (without the condition) saw awards 7% below estimates.

Other allegations involve cancellation of competitively awarded tenders and re-tendering at inflated rates; solar projects totaling 107 MW bundled into single tenders excluding MSMEs, awarded at rates far above national averages (causing Rs 200-250 crore excess burden), plus a 67 MW Ramagundam project at double the average cost; explosives procured 30% higher than PSU norms, with dissenting officials facing repercussions; repeated postponements of high-value tenders like the Rs. 1,044 crore Prakasam Khani and Rs. 600 crore OB projects without justification; and a diesel procurement shift to contractors, increasing costs, excluding experienced firms, and allowing underperformers.

CSR irregularities were flagged, including a lack of transparent criteria, deviations from plans, and misuse for non-community activities like sponsoring a Lionel Messi football exhibition match, unrelated to local welfare or statutory goals. SCCL's leadership vacuum without a regular CMD was cited as enabling weak oversight.

Post-meeting, KTR addressed the media, labelling Chief Minister Revanth Reddy as "Coal Mafia" head and accusing the government of looting public funds. He highlighted unaddressed questions on the site visit rule's sudden enforcement (absent during the BRS rule, enabling minus tenders saving costs), selective certifications, and links to the CM's brother-in-law,Srujan Reddy. KTR criticised solar scams and explosives inflation, demanding a white paper and probe by CBI or a sitting judge. "The government is playing football with Singareni funds, misusing Rs. 10 crore for a match while evading answers," KTR said.

BRS urged the Governor to direct the cancellation of flawed tenders, restore transparent practices, strengthen SCCL leadership, and prevent further losses in this vital PSU. The party sought immediate action to safeguard public interest and institutional credibility.