New Mines, Better Welfare and Jobs: Telangana Charts Revival Roadmap for Singareni

Signalling a renewed focus on reviving the state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) , Telangana Labour, Employment, Mines and Geology Minister Dr G Vivek Venkataswamy on Thursday said the state government is committed to restoring the coal giant’s former strength through new mining projects, employment generation and improved worker welfare initiatives.

During his visit to the Mandamarri Singareni region , the minister said the government sees Singareni as a critical pillar of Telangana’s industrial and economic growth. He alleged that the previous administration weakened the company financially and failed to launch new mines despite rising demand for domestic coal production.

In a surprise move, Vivek Venkataswamy descended into the KK-5 underground mine along with workers to inspect mining operations and understand field-level challenges firsthand. Hundreds of feet below the surface, the minister interacted directly with miners and sought feedback on working conditions, wages and welfare concerns.

Workers urged the government to address the heavy income tax burden on pending PRC arrears and sought support for housing and retirement security. Responding to their concerns, the minister said the issue had already been brought to the attention of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy . He also assured workers that the government was making efforts to ensure retired Singareni employees receive a minimum pension of ₹10,000 .

Highlighting his family’s long association with the coal company, the minister recalled the contribution of his father and former Union Minister Kaka Venkataswamy , who had played a major role in protecting Singareni during a financial crisis. He said nearly ₹400 crore had once been mobilised to safeguard the jobs of around one lakh workers.

The minister also announced that the proposed RKP Opencast Phase-II Project is expected to create nearly 5,000 jobs after receiving forest clearances. He further assured workers that issues related to minimum wage revisions for contract employees would be addressed soon.

Later, at a programme in Mandamarri, the minister felicitated Shram Shakti Award recipients Pawan Kumar and Pulluri Laxman . He urged workers to focus on quality coal production while strictly following safety norms. The event was attended by Mandamarri Area GM N Radhakrishna , labour union leaders and Singareni officials.