Centre seeks facts on alleged disappearance of coal worth ₹1,600 crore at Singareni Collieries; Minister cites SCCL’s financial stress and ₹51,500 crore dues from Telangana government.
New Delhi (Economy India): Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy has sought an urgent investigation into reports alleging the disappearance of nearly 40 lakh tonnes of coal worth approximately ₹1,600 crore from the state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), raising serious concerns over the company’s operational and financial stability.
In a letter addressed to Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on June 10, the Union Minister referred to media reports claiming that a substantial quantity of coal had gone missing, resulting in significant financial losses to the mining company.
Allegations Trigger Concern
According to the communication, reports published in various newspapers alleged the disappearance of around 40 lakh tonnes of coal, valued at nearly ₹1,600 crore.
The Union Minister emphasized that the allegations warrant immediate verification and called for a thorough inquiry to establish the facts and assess whether adequate safeguards and monitoring systems are in place within SCCL.
“The matter requires urgent attention to ascertain the facts and protect the interests of the company,” the letter reportedly stated.
Financial Stress on SCCL
Reddy also highlighted SCCL’s existing financial challenges, pointing to unpaid dues exceeding ₹51,500 crore that are allegedly owed by the Telangana government.
According to the minister, if the allegations regarding the missing coal prove accurate, the resulting losses could further weaken the financial position of the company and impact its operational efficiency.
SCCL, one of India’s major coal-producing companies, plays a critical role in ensuring coal supply to thermal power plants and industrial consumers, particularly across southern India.
Strategic Importance of SCCL
The Singareni Collieries Company Limited is a joint venture between the Government of Telangana and the Government of India and remains one of the country’s most important coal mining enterprises.
The company contributes significantly to:
- Thermal power generation
- Industrial fuel requirements
- Energy security in southern India
- Employment generation in Telangana
- Revenue generation for the state government
Any disruption in its operations or financial health could have wider implications for regional energy supply and industrial activity.
Demand for Transparency and Accountability
The Union Coal Minister has urged the Telangana government to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter and ensure complete transparency in the findings.
Industry observers note that the allegations, if substantiated, could raise important questions regarding inventory management, coal stock monitoring, internal controls and corporate governance practices within the mining company.
Political and Economic Implications
The issue is likely to attract significant attention given the strategic importance of SCCL and the broader debate over the financial management of public sector enterprises.
The outcome of any inquiry could have implications for state-centre relations, coal sector governance and accountability mechanisms within government-owned companies.
As of now, neither SCCL nor the Telangana government has publicly released detailed findings regarding the alleged disappearance of coal stocks.
(Economy
