Singareni Collieries: Major coal scam busted

Hyderabad: According to sources, coal pinched from Singareni Collieries Ltd, worth huge sum, is diverted into the open market by agents and mediators, has found several indiscretions. Now, the vigilance and enforcement department probe into these allegations.

According to its report of the vigilance department, the industries department must conduct surprise inspection of firms to hold back the diversion of coal in collaboration with SCCL authorities. It also asked for review corroboration to ensure that firms permitted to acquire coal from SCCL are utilising the facility correctly. The vigilance department obtained the list of units recommended for allotment of coal by the District Industries Centre and list of various industrial units to whom coal was allotted by SCCL in Krishna district. A team of vigilance officials verified the coal registers and invoice-cum-delivery challans received from SCCL given to industries in Ibrahimpatnam, G Konduru, Jaggaiahpet, Vijayawada Rural and Gannavaram mandals.

It was confirmed by Vigilance and enforcement director general R.P. Thakur confirmed that the report concerning the irregularities in the distraction of coal has been submitted to the government. According to him, the records of the following companies were checked: Krishna Synthon at Kondapalli, Sri Kanak Durga Chormates at Loya, Sri Sai Organics at Kodapalli, Centaurus Pharma at Kondapalli, Asritha Paper Mill at Gowravaram, Model Milk Products at Nidamanuru, Hemadri Cements at Vedadri, Model Dairy at Nidamanuru, SPL Agro Industries at Gannavaram, Amoda Iron and Steels at Jayanthipuram and Mahalakshmi Industries in Tempalli. The companies were found to be not maintaining the coal registers properly and not updating them on a regular basis.

Officials of the Pollution Control Board and Inspector of Boilers are also not corroborating whether the companies have utilised the permitted coal properly, and are focusing only on pollution control aspects and fitness of boilers.