Naini Coal Block Tender Row: BRS vs Congress

Telangana politics has heated up following allegations of irregularities in tenders issued by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) , with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) demanding a high-level probe and the ruling Congress countering with an open challenge for public debate. Singareni, a key public sector coal miner and one of the state’s largest employers, is jointly owned by the Telangana government (51%) and the Central government (49%) , adding a national dimension to the dispute. The controversy is largely centred on tenders floated for the Naini coal block in Odisha , where Singareni planned to appoint Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) agencies. Reports and opposition claims suggest that certain tender clauses raised objections among bidders, triggering accusations that the process was designed to restrict competition and benefit select firms.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy said a CBI investigation would be possible only if the Telangana government gives its consent, noting that operational control of Singareni rests with the state despite the Centre’s equity stake. He alleged that political interference has harmed the company’s functioning and claimed the Telangana government has dues of ₹32,000 crore payable to Singareni. Kishan Reddy also indicated that the Coal Ministry would communicate with the state on developments linked to the Naini tender issue and said corrective steps could be considered if procedural lapses are found. Importantly, after media reports and political pressure intensified, the Telangana government announced the cancellation of some tenders, a move that further fuelled political sparring.

BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) intensified the attack, demanding an immediate independent inquiry and questioning why the Centre would act only if the state itself recommends a probe. In a sharp post on X , KTR argued that expecting the alleged beneficiary of a tender process to seek investigation was illogical, and accused the Centre of adopting a “spectator’s role” despite its stake in SCCL. He also targeted a key tender clause, the “site visit certificate” requirement, calling it an unusual condition that could be used to block competition. BRS leaders alleged that tenders earlier awarded at around 20% below estimates were being cancelled and replaced by contracts at nearly 10% above cost , potentially increasing expenditure and pushing SCCL towards losses.

Congress leaders rejected the allegations, with TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud accusing BRS of spreading misinformation and inviting an open debate comparing tender practices during the 10-year BRS rule with those under the two-year Congress government . He stated that if any genuine errors occurred, the government would correct them, portraying the tender cancellations as preventive action rather than an admission of wrongdoing. As the political blame game intensifies, Singareni’s tender process has now become a flashpoint not just for alleged corruption claims, but also for wider debates on transparency, governance, and control over strategic public sector assets in Telangana.