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Khammam: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Thursday said the BRS was today raising a hue and cry over the auction of coal blocks in the state, but they themselves were to blame as the party had supported the amendments to the Mines and Minerals Regulation Act of 1957, which allowed the participation of private groups in the bidding process.
Speaking at a media conference in the district collectorate here, Bhatti Vikramarka reminded that the Mines and Minerals Regulation (Amendment) Act was introduced by the BJP government on February 24, 2015 and that the BRS had supported it in Parliament.
The Centre is formally launching the process of auctioning coal blocks in the country, including in Telangana, from Hyderabad on Friday. The actual tendering process would start in two to three months.
Bhatti Vikramarka strongly reacted to the criticism by the BRS on the auction of coal blocks, alleging that former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had over-ruled the board meeting of Singareni Collieries, held on October 29 in 2021 where it was decided that the government company will participate in the bidding of coal blocks at Sathupally and Koyagudem in Godavari valley.
He said Chandrashekar Rao had facilitated Auro Coal Mining Private Ltd and Avantika Constructions in getting these two coal blocks as the management of these companies were close to him.
Stating that these two companies had not commenced mining operations within the time mentioned in the agreement, Bhatti Vikramarka demanded the Centre to cancel the allocation of the two coal mines.
Singareni Collieries was ready to extend 0.5 per cent more revenue share to the Centre than offered by these two companies and the Centre should allocate these coal blocks to Singareni Collieries, the minister added.
He said mining was going on in 40 coal blocks in the state and that 22 of them would close due to completion of reserves by 2033.
This will mean coal production will decrease to 17.5 million tons in 2033 from the present 70 million tons.
Bhatti Vikramarka said Singareni Collieries should be allocated more coal blocks and the coal blocks in the Godavari Valley.
He asked Union coal and mines minister G. Kishan Reddy to stop auction of coal mines in the state.
An all party delegation led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy would soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request for allocation of coal blocks in Godavari valley to Singareni Collieries, he said.
The BRS should also send their representatives, if the party is sincere on the issue, he maintained.
Underlining the need to save Singareni Collieries, Bhatti Vikramarka reminded that it was providing employment to 42,000 people directly and 50,000 people indirectly. In addition to this, Singareni Collieries was outsourcing the work of 26,000 people.
Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao reminded that the Naini coal block in Odisha was allocated to Singareni Collieries without an auction even though the Mines and Minerals Regulation (Amendment) Act was already enforced.
In the same way, the Centre should allocate all the coal blocks in Godavari Valley, he said.
The Centre is formally launching the process of auctioning coal blocks in the country, including in Telangana, from Hyderabad on Friday. The actual tendering process would start in two to three months.
Bhatti Vikramarka strongly reacted to the criticism by the BRS on the auction of coal blocks, alleging that former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had over-ruled the board meeting of Singareni Collieries, held on October 29 in 2021 where it was decided that the government company will participate in the bidding of coal blocks at Sathupally and Koyagudem in Godavari valley.
He said Chandrashekar Rao had facilitated Auro Coal Mining Private Ltd and Avantika Constructions in getting these two coal blocks as the management of these companies were close to him.
Stating that these two companies had not commenced mining operations within the time mentioned in the agreement, Bhatti Vikramarka demanded the Centre to cancel the allocation of the two coal mines.
Singareni Collieries was ready to extend 0.5 per cent more revenue share to the Centre than offered by these two companies and the Centre should allocate these coal blocks to Singareni Collieries, the minister added.
He said mining was going on in 40 coal blocks in the state and that 22 of them would close due to completion of reserves by 2033.
This will mean coal production will decrease to 17.5 million tons in 2033 from the present 70 million tons.
Bhatti Vikramarka said Singareni Collieries should be allocated more coal blocks and the coal blocks in the Godavari Valley.
He asked Union coal and mines minister G. Kishan Reddy to stop auction of coal mines in the state.
An all party delegation led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy would soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to request for allocation of coal blocks in Godavari valley to Singareni Collieries, he said.
The BRS should also send their representatives, if the party is sincere on the issue, he maintained.
Underlining the need to save Singareni Collieries, Bhatti Vikramarka reminded that it was providing employment to 42,000 people directly and 50,000 people indirectly. In addition to this, Singareni Collieries was outsourcing the work of 26,000 people.
Agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao reminded that the Naini coal block in Odisha was allocated to Singareni Collieries without an auction even though the Mines and Minerals Regulation (Amendment) Act was already enforced.
In the same way, the Centre should allocate all the coal blocks in Godavari Valley, he said.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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