TRS misleading people on SCCL privatisation

PNS|Hyderabad

The BJP launched a scathing attack on the TRS government and TRS leaders against allegations of SCCL privatisation through the Twitter hashtag #TRSDramaOnSingareni on Sunday.

Union Coal and Mines Minister Prahlad Joshi said the KCR government has been misleading people on the SCCL issue. Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumar also responded through Twitter saying that TRS leaders should know the difference between privatization and auction.

He said that privatisation is possible only when more than 50 per cent of stock is sold to private parties. The TRS government holds 51 per cent of SCCL stock.

Sanjay made it clear through Twitter that the Centre has no plans to privatize Singareni Collieries Company Limited. He told TRS leaders that they should know the difference between privatization and the auctioning of coal blocks. He explained that PSUs can be privatised only if more than 50 per cent of stock is sold to private parties.

Sanjay said on Twitter, “The Centre has no plans to privatise SCCL. The confused souls of TRS should know the difference between privatisation and the auctioning of coal blocks. PSU privatisation can happen only if more than 50 per cent of stock is in private hands. The TS government has a 51 per cent stake in SCCL.”

“The auction of unallocated or surrendered coal blocks is done through a transparent platform through competitive bidding. It is open to the public and private parties. It ensures higher revenue for States, optimum utilisation of coal and brings seriousness in the development of mines,” Sanjay said.

“The SCCL was allotted three coal mines before starting commercial auctioning, that is, Naini 10 MTPA, Pengaddppa 3 MTPA, and New Patrapara, 25 MTPA. Pengaddppa and New Patrapara were allowed to be surrendered without penalty. The corrupt TS government could not operationalize these blocks even after seven years,” he said.

“The Naini block which was allotted to SCCL in 2015 has not been made operational due to the corruption of the TRS government even though the Centre gave all clearances. SCCL has participated only in one auction of five tranches and was unsuccessful in claiming any block,” Sanjay said.

“At least now the TS government should get its act straight and consider active participation in auctions for commercial coal mining and help SCCL to expand its coal reserves and help revenue generation. This will boost its presence across all other coal bearing states,” he added.