Police Stop BJP Delegation from Visiting Srirampur Coal Mine in Mancherial
BJP legislators, led by Aleti Maheshwar Reddy, were blocked by police from visiting the Srirampur coal mine in Mancherial. The party has demanded a probe into alleged financial and operational irregularities within the Singareni Collieries Company Limited.
Highlights
- •Local police blocked a BJP delegation from entering the Srirampur coal mine on Friday.
- •BJP floor leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy led the team as part of the Singareni Bharosa programme.
- •The BJP has demanded a CBI or House committee probe into alleged irregularities at SCCL.
- •Opposition leaders cited financial losses and administrative mismanagement regarding coal handling and power deals.
Tensions flared in Mancherial on Friday as local law enforcement authorities prevented a delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators from entering the Srirampur coal mine. The visit was organized as part of the party’s ongoing “Singareni Bharosa” initiative, which seeks to evaluate the operational status and transparency of coal mining sites in the region.
Led by the BJP floor leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy, the group of legislators attempted to access the premises to conduct an inspection. Despite an earlier request for permission submitted by BJP MLC Anji Reddy, the party leaders were denied entry by police personnel stationed at the site. The restriction on the movement of the BJP team prompted a strong reaction from the party representatives, who questioned the state government’s motives in blocking the oversight visit.
Concerns Over Transparency and Governance
Addressing the press following the confrontation, Aleti Maheshwar Reddy raised serious concerns regarding the management of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). He highlighted allegations concerning the handling of 40,000 lakh metric tonnes of coal and publicly questioned the necessity of the recently introduced site visit certificate policy within the organization.
The BJP floor leader asserted that there appears to be a tacit understanding between the Congress and the BRS administrations regarding the oversight of state enterprises. He demanded a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities, proposing that a formal inquiry be established. Reddy suggested that either a House committee, a CBI investigation, or an all-party committee be tasked with scrutinizing the operational conduct and administrative decisions of the company.
Allegations of Financial Irregularities
Expanding on his claims, Maheshwar Reddy pointed toward broader operational issues, specifically mentioning the Tadicherla coal mine. He alleged that the company has faced significant financial losses, including those linked to power purchase and sale agreements. To substantiate these claims, he cited specific figures and audit observations, suggesting that the current management practices require urgent intervention to protect state interests.
The attempted visit was marked by the presence of several senior BJP officials, including multiple MLAs and MLCs who accompanied the leadership to the Srirampur coal mine. As of now, the disagreement highlights a growing friction between opposition leaders and the governing authorities regarding the accountability of public-sector undertakings in the region.
