State BJP president N. Ramchander Rao alleged that both the previous BRS government and the present Congress government had “completely neglected” Singareni Collieries Coal Limited (SCCL), pushing the State public sector undertaking into losses. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy had ensured the allocation of the Tadicherla-II coal block to SCCL without an auction, a move that would further strengthen the company, he maintained.At a press conference in the party office, Mr. Rao dismissed the Congress government’s claim that it was responsible for the coal block allotment. The allocation was made possible through the collective efforts of BJP MPs, MLAs and district leaders, along with Mr. Kishan Reddy’s “special initiative”, he asserted.Mr. Rao alleged that while the previous BRS government had used SCCL for its own benefit, the Congress government was weakening the institution by diverting its funds to other activities like football matches. The SCCL operates 39 mines and provides livelihoods to about 41,000 permanent employees and 31,000 contract workers. The new block will help increasing production, revenue and jobs, he said.The BJP chief also demanded that the scope of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing alleged irregularities in the ‘Dharani’ land portal, be expanded to examine “irregularities” in the Congress government’s ‘Bhu Bharati’ initiative too.He further criticised the government over the Kaleshwaram project and urged both the Congress and BRS parties to set aside political differences and focus on repairing and restoring the irrigation project so that it could effectively serve farmers.Meanwhile, the party also planned a grand welcome for Mr. Kishan Reddy and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda to celebrate the allocation of the Tadicherla-II coal block to SCCL on Thursday, when they arrive from New Delhi.During their visit, they will inspect AIIMS-Bibinagar, interact with party leaders at the State BJP office and participate in a programme organised by the Forum for Nationalist Thinkers at Hotel Taj Deccan. Mr. Nadda will deliver a lecture on “Democracy, Diplomacy and Development,” with Mr. Ramchander Rao presiding over the event. Published - July 08, 2026 08:28 pm IST