Bhatti clarifies on Tadicherla coal block allocation – Not a new allocation

Hyderabad : Union Minister Kishan Reddy said that Tadicharla Coal Block-2 was allocated to Singareni. But it is not right to hide the facts and portray it differently, said Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, he reminded that on September 16, 2013, this coal block was allocated to Singareni by the then UPA government. He questioned why it is being said that a new coal block has been allocated now. He said that if an application for mining lease is made, it will be kept pending for all these years. This block was allocated to Singareni even before the MMBR Act came into force. Bhatti said that he met the Union ministers and explained the entire history. He said that this mining lease was obtained by fighting with the state. He said that only tribals or government organizations should work in the tribal area. He said that private companies are not allowed to work. He said that tenders were floated for Sathupalli Block 3 and Koyagudem Block 3 against the rules. They said that BRS benami participated in the auction and got them. They said that thousands of crores of rupees were lost due to the fact that the Tadicherla coal block was not leased to Singareni all these years. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka demanded that all the coal blocks around Godavari be allotted to Singareni.