Telangana Deputy CM Proposes Full-Scale Investigation into Singareni Contracts
In a significant development in Telangana's political landscape, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka declared on Saturday his willingness to order a comprehensive inquiry into all tenders and contracts awarded by Singareni Collieries Company Limited from 2014 to the present day. This announcement came as a direct response to allegations raised by former minister and Siddipet MLA T Harish Rao regarding potential irregularities in the tendering process.
Political Challenge and Transparency Assurance
Addressing journalists at Praja Bhavan alongside Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, Bhatti questioned why Harish Rao had chosen to approach the Central government rather than seeking an investigation from the state administration. "If Harish Rao genuinely believes there are irregularities, he should write to me directly," stated the deputy chief minister, emphasizing his availability to ensure complete transparency in the matter.
Bhatti pointed out that Harish Rao had served as a minister in the previous government for nearly a decade, suggesting he should have been familiar with proper procedural channels. The deputy CM specifically mentioned that if he received a formal request, he would order an inquiry covering all Singareni tenders and contracts since 2014, including the controversial Tadicherla contract that has drawn particular scrutiny.
Timeline for Investigation and Federal Cooperation
The deputy chief minister revealed his plan to personally discuss the matter with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy upon his return from an investment-seeking tour. "Once the chief minister returns, I will speak to him and ensure formal orders are issued for a comprehensive investigation," Bhatti assured the media.
In a notable show of cooperation with federal authorities, Bhatti welcomed the inquiry initiated by Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy into the Naini coal block tenders. "The people of Telangana deserve to know the truth," he stated, acknowledging the importance of transparency in government contracts.
Addressing Specific Allegations and Political Connections
Responding to Harish Rao's specific allegation that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's relative Srujan Reddy was a beneficiary of Singareni contracts, Bhatti provided clarification about the individual's background. He explained that Srujan Reddy is actually the son-in-law of K Upender Reddy, a former BRS MLA who was originally with the Congress before being "lured into the BRS for contracts."
"There is no connection whatsoever between Srujan Reddy's company and the chief minister," Bhatti asserted firmly. He further claimed that among the five major contractors currently operating in Singareni, all have links or associations with BRS leaders, suggesting political connections in the previous administration's contract awards.
Defending Singareni's Autonomous Decision-Making Process
The deputy chief minister clarified the administrative structure governing Singareni contracts, explaining that tenders and related files do not come to him or the state government directly. "The company has an independent and autonomous board that takes decisions transparently," he emphasized, highlighting the institutional separation between political leadership and corporate decision-making.
Regarding allegations about mandatory site visit conditions in Singareni tenders, Bhatti produced documentary evidence showing these clauses were introduced based on Coal India guidelines issued in 2018, 2021, and 2023—well before the Congress came to power in Telangana. He noted that similar provisions exist in tenders issued by numerous government entities including:
- NMDC (National Mineral Development Corporation)
- Indian Railways
- Sainik Schools across the country
- Various port authorities
"Such conditions were also present during the former BRS regime," Bhatti pointed out, suggesting consistency in procurement practices across different administrations.
Allegations of Malicious Campaign and Defense of Integrity
The deputy chief minister made serious allegations about what he described as a "deliberate, malicious and sustained campaign of fabricated stories" aimed at multiple targets. According to his statement, this campaign seeks to:
- Tarnish his personal image and reputation
- Demoralize over 72,000 Singareni employees
- Damage the company's standing in the industry
- Ultimately benefit certain vested interests
Bhatti questioned the timing and coordination between a media report he characterized as false and Harish Rao's subsequent letter to the Union coal minister seeking an inquiry. "What is the link between these three events?" he asked rhetorically, implying possible coordination among critics.
Additional Contractual Defenses and Personal Commitment
The deputy CM also addressed allegations that handing over diesel supply to contractors had created opportunities for another potential scam. He clarified that this system was actually introduced in 2022 during the BRS government to address GST changes and prevent diesel theft, not under the current administration.
In a strongly worded commitment, Bhatti declared: "I will not allow vultures, predators or powerful interests to descend on Singareni." Drawing on his four decades of political experience, he defended his integrity built on ethical values, stating that attacks on his character were unjustified and politically motivated.
The comprehensive response from the deputy chief minister addresses multiple layers of allegations while positioning the current administration as committed to transparency and proper governance procedures. The offer of a full investigation represents both a political challenge to critics and an attempt to demonstrate accountability in government contracting processes.
