BRS will oppose any attempts to privatise Singareni, says KTR

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) on Thursday said his party would continue to fight to protect the interests of Singareni company and safeguard the rights and welfare of coal mine workers.

He reiterated that the BRS would oppose any attempts to weaken Singareni or push it towards privatisation and would not remain silent if workers faced injustice.

According to a press statement, the BRS MLAs and party members from Singareni region, and representatives of the Telangana Boggu Gani Karmika Sangham (TBGKS) met KTR to discuss the future course of action following the success of the recent Singareni Karmika Garjana public meeting in Godavarikhani.

The leaders discussed the prevailing situation in Singareni, problems faced by workers, the company's future and measures to strengthen the trade union, the statement said.

KTR directed party leaders to question the Congress government over alleged irregularities in Singareni, particularly in tender-related matters, and to oppose any attempts to privatise the company.

He asked them to highlight issues raised at the Godavarikhani meeting, including Singareni's financial affairs, declining coal production, allegations of irregularities in tenders and funds due to the company.

KTR said that the BRS should question both the Congress government in Telangana and the BJP-led government at the Centre over their policies towards Singareni. He called for a united struggle against decisions that could harm the company's interests.

He emphasised that protecting Singareni and safeguarding workers' interests remained the BRS's primary objectives.

KTR directed party leaders to extensively publicise the welfare programmes implemented for Singareni workers during the previous BRS government, including profit-sharing benefits, compassionate appointments, medical facilities and welfare measures for workers' families, the statement noted.

He asked leaders to explain the initiatives undertaken by the previous BRS government and compare them with the present situation to make workers aware of the differences.

KTR also instructed party leaders to question the government if it neglected workers' profit shares, bonuses and other benefits. He urged them to remain accessible to workers at the grassroots level and continue fighting for their rights.

He reiterated that the BRS would continue its uncompromising struggle to address the problems faced by Singareni workers.

The meeting also discussed preparations for the upcoming Singareni trade union elections, it said.

KTR asked BRS and TBGKS leaders and workers to be ready to contest the elections and strengthen the party's presence in the Singareni region.

BRS leaders in the meeting expressed the view that support for the BRS was growing among Singareni workers and residents of coal-mining areas due to problems they claimed were arising under the Congress government, the statement added.

The leaders also reiterated their commitment to standing by Singareni workers and exposing what they described as the anti-worker policies of the Congress and BJP governments, it said.