Mumbai, Oct. 29 -- Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan to strengthen Singareni Collieries Company, improve productivity, reduce production costs and safeguard employment. He said the measures should support the company's long-term growth and protect its interests for future generations.
Bhatti issued the directions during an interaction with general managers in Hyderabad on Sunday. He called for faster mine development, improved operational efficiency and an assessment of opportunities in critical minerals, including copper, gold, vanadium and lithium.
The meeting examined coal production, transportation, mine development, expansion plans and cost-control measures. Officials were asked to improve operational performance while ensuring that future investments and expansion programmes were aligned with the company's financial and production requirements.
Bhatti accused the previous government of neglecting Singareni's expansion for a decade and failing to secure new coal blocks. He also challenged its claims that coal production had declined and that 4,000,000 tonnes of coal had gone missing, saying the current government was taking steps to protect the company.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Singareni's operations supported about 42,000 permanent employees and between 34,000 and 36,000 contract and outsourced workers. He stressed that improving productivity and controlling costs were necessary to sustain the company and protect the livelihoods linked to its operations.
Singareni, one of Telangana's key public-sector enterprises, operates coal mines and supports industrial activity in the state. The directions are expected to guide decisions on mine development, resource diversification, expansion and employment protection, while officials continue reviewing production and transportation performance.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.