SCCL workers should get arrears for 23 months: Jeevan Reddy

HYDERABAD: Congress MLC T. Jeevan Reddy said the state government had not paid arrears for 23 months to employees of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). The workers were due Rs750 crore, he said.

Transco and Genco owe the SCCL Rs20,000 crore. “The state government is using the company as per its wishes. The company had Rs3,540 crore in bank bonds and earned profits at statehood but is now in trouble, he explained.

He said the SCCL staff strength had fallen from 65,000 workers in 2014 to 42,000 because the company had leased work to private miners. “All this is happening in connivance with the Centre,” he said.

Boasting of establishing medical colleges in all of the 33 districts on its own, the KCR-led government is collecting funds from Singareni for the said college in Ramagundam, he said. “The government is promising to reserve just 7 per cent of the seats in SCCL against the demand to provide 25 per cent reservation. Congress party had ensured that Singareni earns Rs400 crores.”

Finding fault with the BJP for seeking permission to hold its Liberation Day rally on September 17 at the Parade Grounds, Jeevan Reddy questioned the saffron party for choosing the Parade Grounds as the venue.

“We should get permission to hold our rally as we were the ones who sought permission first three days ago. This indicates the mean character of the party,” he added.