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Come what may, Singareni will remain with us: KCR
Even though the Central government is trying to open up the coal sector for commercial mining by private players, the 100-odd years old Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) will remain under the control of the state, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has asserted.
Mancherial/Peddapally: Even though the Central government is trying to open up the coal sector for commercial mining by private players, the 100-odd years old Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) will remain under the control of the state, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has asserted.
A day after going ballistic against the BJP-led NDA government over neglecting the interests of the farming sector, the CM appeared cautious when he spoke about the Centre’s efforts to privatise the coal sector in the country.
“Come what may, Singareni will remain as state-owned mining institution. Fortunately, the Union has no right over Singareni mines. The state is ready to buy out if the Centre is keen to dispose of its stake,” KCR asserted.
SCCL is one among the three jumbo organisations – TSGenco and TSRTC – the state has, providing huge employment besides being part of region’s economic growth, KCR said, stating that the question of privatisation will not arise. The CM said that his government is committed to address all of the demands of Singareni employees, especially the dependent jobs.
Referring to the legal tangles entwined with the dependent employment scheme, he said that henceforth it should be called as compassionate appointments under medical grounds.
It may be noted here that court struck down the government’s decision to provide employment in Singareni to the dependent persons of the employees on compassionate grounds under the “Voluntary Retirement Scheme on health reasons” as discriminatory and violative of the Constitution.
KCR clarified that all the eligible will get employment under compassionate grounds. Further, he told the employees not to bribe the officials to get their applications move forward as all the eligible are bound to get their due. The process will start in the first week of March, he added.
“Slap those leaders and officials who demand bribe for issuing medical certificates with chappal,” KCR told the Singareni employees, stating that he was aware of the hardships of those working in the mines. He assured that TRS MPs will fight for income tax exemption for the miners.
He said besides the Singareni medical board, doctors from Osmania and Gandhi hospitals will also be deputed to bring in transparency in providing jobs under compassionate grounds.
Heaping praise on SCCL Chairman and Managing Director N Sridhar for running Singareni mines efficiently, the Chief Minister told him to create more facilities to the staff.
“Peddapally will become the richest district in the state,” KCR predicted, citing region’s abundant resources and the industrial development.
Ministers A Indrakaran Reddy, E Rajender, Rajya Sabha member K Keshava Rao, Peddapally MP B Suman, IDC chairman E Shankar Reddy, RTC chairman S Satyanarayana, police housing corporation chairman Damodar, Whip Palla Rajeshwar Reddy and Additional Secretary in the CMO Smitha Sabharwal were present.
