SCCL privatization: KTR calls for protest against Modi government
KTR said that the PM did not stand by his promise and questioned how he would respond to it during his next visit to the state
By Newsmeter Network Published on 7 April 2023 6:17 AM GMT
Hyderabad: BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao has called for a protest against the central government's decision to auction Singareni Collieries Company Limited's (SCCL) coal mines.
KTR has demanded that the auctioning process, which was scheduled to be conducted from March 29 to May 30, be rolled back and the mines be allocated to SCCL without auctioning. He also stated that BRS leaders, activists, and Singareni employees will protest against the centre on April 8.
KTR questioned the need for privatizing SCCL when it is setting records in terms of production, profits, and Plant Load Factor (PLF). He accused the Centre of conspiring to impede Telangana's growth by privatizing SCCL, which would have a disastrous impact on various sections of the state. KTR stated that the centre is trying to push Singareni, which is currently making profits, into losses by not allocating the coal mines.
"The centre sold many Public Sector Units which made profits. However, Vizag Steel Plant (VSP) was pushed into losses by not allocating mines to it. Telangana will strongly foil centre's conspiracy," said KTR.
KTR also mentioned that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao already wrote to the centre stating that the coal mines needed for SCCL be allocated to it. He also highlighted that Singareni employees have placed the same demand. He added that there was no response from private companies to earlier attempts to auction the mines.
"The attempts to privatize SCCL are to harm CM KCR's determination to provide 24-hour free electricity to farmers and to force the farmers to rely on bores for farming. Singareni plays a crucial role in thermal power generation in the state and it provides high-quality power to agricultural needs, industries, and domestic requirements. The Center is creating obstacles," KTR stated.
KTR criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who during his visit to Ramagundam on November 11, 2022, assured that Singareni would not be privatized. He said that the PM did not stand by his promise and questioned how he would respond to it during his next visit to the state.
