BJP Protests Denial of SCCL Inspection, Demands CBI Probe into Coal Scandal
The BJP in Telangana has condemned the denial of permission for its delegation to visit SCCL mines. The party is seeking a CBI probe into the disappearance of 45 lakh metric tonnes of coal, while also highlighting failures in state education infrastructure.
Highlights
- •BJP leaders condemned the police obstruction of their fact-finding mission to the SCCL mines.
- •The party is investigating the reported disappearance of 45 lakh metric tonnes of coal.
- •BJP floor leader Maheshwar Reddy has officially demanded a CBI probe into SCCL operations.
- •Concerns were also raised regarding the poor infrastructure in government schools and state universities.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Telangana has launched a strong protest following the denial of official permission for its delegation to conduct a site inspection at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). The delegation, led by BJP floor leader Maheshwar Reddy, aimed to investigate allegations surrounding the disappearance of approximately 45 lakh metric tonnes of coal from the mining site.
N. Ramchander Rao, the BJP state president, formally condemned the Telangana government's decision to deploy police forces to obstruct the fact-finding mission. The delegation, which included various MLAs and MLCs, intended to identify those responsible for what the party describes as a significant coal theft. Ramchander Rao further alleged that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is utilizing misinformation tactics against Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy to divert attention from the ongoing controversy regarding the SCCL coal scam.
Demands for Investigation into SCCL Operations
The BJP leadership has intensified its demand for transparency within the state-run organization. Although the central government maintains a 49 percent stake in SCCL, the state government holds the majority, effectively controlling operations. G. Kishan Reddy has officially requested an inquiry into the missing coal, a sentiment echoed by Maheshwar Reddy, who is now calling for a full Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. The BJP maintains that an independent investigation is necessary to uncover details spanning the last 12 years of administrative history, specifically from the tenure of former CMD N. Sridhar through to the present administration under CMD Balram.
The confrontation escalated during the attempted visit, resulting in reported injuries to several BJP activists and leaders, some of whom required hospitalization. Beyond the mining issue, Maheshwar Reddy highlighted broader concerns regarding the state's governance. He criticized the Revanth Reddy administration for the current state of public education, specifically noting that school rationalization policies are leading to closures and deteriorating infrastructure. He pointed out that many government schools lack essential facilities like separate toilets for female students.
The party also raised questions regarding the lack of progress on funding promises for higher education institutions. Specifically, Maheshwar Reddy questioned why the state government has yet to fulfill its commitment of providing Rs 1,000 crore for Osmania University. He described the condition of student hostels at both Osmania and Kakatiya Universities as dire, noting that several buildings are nearing collapse. The BJP floor leader concluded by condemning the suspension of faculty members who had voiced support for student rights and demanded urgent structural reconstruction for university hostels.
