Harish Rao Alleges Singareni Contract Irregularities
Harish Rao Alleges ₹6,000 Crore Irregularities in Singareni Contracts
Former Telangana minister and BRS Deputy Floor Leader T. Harish Rao on Saturday alleged large-scale irregularities in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) contracts, claiming a ₹6,000 crore scam involving changes to tender conditions. Addressing the media in Hyderabad, he questioned Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka’s response to the controversy and demanded accountability.
Allegations on Contract Processes
Harish Rao alleged that Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was the key decision-maker behind the changes in tender norms, while his brother-in-law, Srujan Reddy, allegedly benefited as a contractor. He questioned whether justice could be expected when, according to him, the political executive itself was involved in the process. Rao criticised Bhatti Vikramarka’s suggestion that he would “speak to the Chief Minister” on the issue, calling it an evasion of responsibility.
Questions on Singareni Profits
Citing Singareni’s financials, Harish Rao said the company recorded profits of ₹6,394 crore last year but officially reflected only ₹2,360 crore. He questioned the whereabouts of the remaining amount and alleged that workers’ bonus entitlements were reduced. He further claimed that Singareni funds were diverted while Congress leaders benefited even during profitable years.
Site Visit Certificate Controversy
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The former minister focused his criticism on the introduction of a site visit certificate requirement for overburden (OB) removal contracts. He argued that such a condition did not exist between 2018 and 2024 and was introduced only after the Congress came to power. He cited instances where tenders were finalised in January 2025 without the condition, while the same requirement was introduced in May 2025 for selected tenders, allegedly favouring specific contractors.
Harish Rao stated that contractors who conducted site visits and submitted emails and letters were denied certificates, while a limited number of firms allegedly received backdated approvals. He demanded a white paper detailing site visits, certificates issued, rejections, and related correspondence from May 2025 onwards.
Political Reactions and Demands
The BRS leader accused the Deputy Chief Minister of presenting selective documents during a recent press conference and misleading the public. He asserted that Singareni is a public asset belonging to the people of Telangana and warned that continued irregularities would harm coal production and drive away experienced contractors.
Referring to earlier concerns raised by his party, Rao linked the current controversy with past allegations over Singareni solar tenders, which were previously detailed in a City Buzz Daily report on alleged irregularities in Singareni solar projects.
Call for Probe
Harish Rao demanded the cancellation of all tenders finalised under the site visit certificate system and called for an inquiry by a sitting judge or the CBI into the alleged coal scam. He stated that the BRS would continue its agitation until transparency is ensured and Singareni’s interests are protected.
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