Hyderabad: Former minister T Harish Rao has demanded a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) Naini coal block tenders issue and accused the govt of internal share disputes and corruption. He demanded the immediate cancellation of all tenders issued under the site visit system, permanent withdrawal of this method, restoration of the earlier diesel procurement policy, and appointment of a qualified person as chairman and managing director (CMD) for Singareni.Speaking at a press conference at Telangana Bhavan on Monday, Harish Rao said Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka claimed that Naini block tenders were cancelled “due to benefit of doubt” and the issue of site visit certificates. However, the ex-minister questioned the very existence of such a system.“There was no site visit certification system anywhere in Telangana earlier, nowhere in the country, not even in Coal India or Western Coalfields. This method was introduced in 2024 after the Revanth Reddy govt came to power,” he added.Harish Rao alleged that after the site visit clause was introduced, only one company, Shodha Constructions, secured the first tender. He alleged that after the introduction of this method, six Singareni tenders were awarded at plus (+) 7% rates to favoured persons.“In coal block tenders across the country, rates normally go at -10 (minus 10%) to -22%. Earlier, Singareni tenders used to be awarded between -7% and even -20%. But after the new govt came, all tenders are going between +7 and +10%,” Harish Rao alleged.He questioned why only Naini block tenders were cancelled. “What about the remaining tenders awarded under the same illegal system?” Harish asked.He explained that online tenders allow contractors from anywhere in the country to participate. But under the site visit system, bidders must first visit the site and obtain certification from Singareni. “This allows the identification of bidders in advance. They are then threatened, pressured, and pushed out. Later, tenders are awarded to loyal contractors at inflated rates, and commissions are collected,” he alleged.He further alleged that tenders awarded competitively during the BRS govt were cancelled and reissued to benefit favoured contractors.“For example, a tender awarded at -7% was cancelled and reissued at +7%. Another tender at SRP OC-II, earlier at -7%, was cancelled and handed over again at +7%,” he said.He added that the SRP OC-II Expansion 2025 tender was deferred three times as deals could not be finalised, and attempts were still being made to hand it over to preferred parties.Harish Rao said another major irregularity related to diesel supply. Earlier, Singareni had been procurring diesel in bulk from IOC. But now, diesel supply was handed over to contractors for commission. “This caused heavy financial loss to Singareni. GST is now paid not only for work but also for diesel. This directly burdens the company,” he said.
