Singareni Workers get 34% Profit Share Bonus

In a festive boost ahead of Dasara, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu announced a 34% profit share bonus for Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) employees, marking a significant increase over last year. This Dasara bonanza will see an average of Rs. 1,95,610 disbursed to each of the approximately 41,000 regular workers, up by Rs. 8,289 (4.4%) from the previous year's Rs. 1,87,321. Additionally, around 30,000 contract workers will receive Rs. 5,500 each, an enhancement from last year's Rs. 5,000—the first such bonus in Singareni's history under the previous administration.

The announcement follows SCCL's stellar performance in the 2024-25 financial year, with net profits soaring to Rs. 6,394 crore—a 36% rise from Rs. 4,701 crore in 2023-24 after taxes. Out of this, Rs. 4,034 crore has been allocated for new projects, leaving Rs. 2,360 crore for distribution. The 34% share amounts to Rs. 819 crore in total bonuses, up from last year's 33% allocation of Rs. 763 crore.

CM Revanth Reddy highlighted SCCL's role in illuminating the nation and pledged to foster its growth through competitive pricing in open markets. Deputy CM Bhatti urged SCCL to expand into critical minerals and participate in central coal block auctions, noting recent successes like securing the Naini block in Odisha. SCCL CMD N. Balaram emphasized the company's expansion under the current regime, including entry into key mineral sectors.

The bonus tradition began in 1999-2000 with a 10% share (Rs. 30 crore) from Rs. 300 crore profits, yielding Rs. 2,782 per worker among 1.07 lakh employees. It dipped to Rs. 805 in 2000-01 but has grown substantially, reflecting improved work culture and salaries (now averaging Rs. 1.7 lakh from Rs. 8,500 back then).

The press meet at Secretariat saw participation from ministers like Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy, Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy, Duddilla Sridhar Babu; advisors Harkara Venu Gopal Rao, Shabbir Ali; MPs P. Balaram Naik, Ramasahayam Raghuram Reddy; MLAs Payam Venkateshwarlu, Matta Ragamayi, Makkan Singh Raj Thakur, Gandra Satyanarayana, Gaddam Vinod, Danam Nagender and union leaders and senior officials of SCCL. 

CM's stance on GST reforms and reclaiming Privatized Mines

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy stated that GST reforms will inflict a Rs. 7,000 crore revenue loss on Telangana and demanded the Centre compensate via a viability gap fund for five years, akin to initial GST implementation aid for states facing 14% shortfalls. Criticizing unilateral central decisions, he stressed it's the Centre's duty, not a "Modi-style" imposition where states bear the brunt. Deputy CM Bhatti has submitted a report to the GST Council; Revanth urged Union Minister Kishan Reddy to secure reimbursement.

On mines, Revanth vowed to reclaim Sathupalli and Koyagudem open-cast blocks, auctioned to private players during the BRS regime, predicting Rs. 60,000 crore revenue and Rs. 15,000 crore profit losses for SCCL. Workers fear privatization threatens Singareni's survival; the government pledges central negotiations to ensure all Telangana coal blocks revert to SCCL, safeguarding employee futures and driving profitable growth.

CM revanth cracks whip on Highway projects

The Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed officials to expedite land acquisition and compensation distribution for national highway projects across the state, stressing that “minor reasons must not be allowed to delay works.” Chairing a high-level review meeting with NHAI, NH, MoRTH, R&B, and Forest Department officials at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister emphasized speedy clearances, resolution of arbitration cases, and accountability in execution.

He instructed Collectors to deal with land acquisition in a humane manner while clearly explaining the benefits of highways to farmers. He warned that any laxity by Collectors, RDOs, or Tahsildars in land acquisition and compensation will invite action, setting a firm deadline of October-end for completion.

On the Regional Ring Road (RRR), the Chief Minister questioned NHAI on repeated objections despite clarifications already provided. 

He urged that RRR North and South should not be treated as separate projects and sought immediate clearance for the South alignment.

Highlighting the significance of the Bharat Future City–Amaravati–Machilipatnam 12-lane Greenfield Highway, the CM said it will serve as a development hub with a dry port, logistics and industrial parks, while reducing Hyderabad–Vijayawada travel distance by 70 km. He pressed for early approvals under PM Gati Shakti or other central schemes.

The CM also called for clearances for the Hyderabad–Srisailam elevated corridor, speedy resolution of pending NGT cases, and approval of the Hyderabad–Mancherial–Nagpur and other proposed highways. He assured that the state would bear costs for wildlife mitigation in non-wildlife areas and provide compensatory land for forest clearances.Revanth Reddy announced that he would soon meet Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Bhupender Yadav to resolve pending highway and forest issues at the national level.

CM's field visit to Medaram

Meanwhile Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy will visit Medaram on Tuesday to personally review arrangements for the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, Asia’s largest tribal fair. For the first time, a CM is conducting a field-level inspection ahead of the festival. Revanth Reddy will meet tribal priests, elders, ministers, MPs, and MLAs to discuss permanent development works, ensuring facilities for millions of devotees while fully respecting tribal traditions. The government plans new access routes, welcome arches, bathing ghats, and temple renovations using quality stone under expert supervision, aiming to promote both tribal culture and spiritual tourism.