Former Minister and BRS Legislature party Deputy Floor Leader Harish Rao called for a comprehensive CBI probe into the tenders for the Naini coal block. Speaking to the media at the Telangana Bhavan on Monday, he alleged that there were significant irregularities in the tenders issued by Singareni Collieries and accused the Chief Minister and other senior Ministers of being involved in internal disputes over shares and corruption.

He stated that Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka claimed that Naini block tenders were cancelled due to the absence of site visit certificates. However, Harish Rao questioned the very existence of such a system. Harish Rao alleged that the first beneficiary of this new system was the Chief Minister’s close relative, Sujan Reddy. After receiving the site visit certificate, his company, Shodha Constructions, secured the first tender. 

The BRS MLA questioned why only Naini block tenders were cancelled. Harish Rao explained that online tenders allow contractors from anywhere in the country to participate. But under the site visit system, bidders must first visit the site and obtain certification from Singareni. “This allows identification of bidders in advance. They are then threatened, pressured, and pushed out. Later, tenders are awarded to loyal contractors at inflated rates, and commissions are collected,” he alleged.

He further demanded that Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy order a CBI probe into the Singareni tender scam. He pointed out that Singareni has been functioning without a regular CMD for the past two years.. Harish Rao also demanded the immediate cancellation of all tenders issued under the site visit system, permanent withdrawal of this method, restoration of the earlier diesel procurement policy, and appointment of a senior and qualified CMD for Singareni.