CM ready for probe into imported coal deal, leaves choice of inquiry to KTR

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Batti Vikramarka in Hyderabad on Thursday.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed his readiness for an inquiry into the import of Grade 9 coal for the Yadadri thermal power plant, in response to a letter written by BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao.

He left the choice of the investigating agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Income Tax Department, to Mr. Rao.

Mr. Reddy revealed that the BRS government entered into agreements for importing coal from abroad and also wrote to the Railways and Krishnapatnam port authorities for transportation assistance. The agreement had been signed with MSTC in 2016 for importing seven million tonnes of coal annually for the Yadadri plant, which required 14 million tonnes a year. The agreement, dated December 9, 2016, specifically provided for imported Grade 9 coal, he said.

Showing documents to support his allegations, he claimed that the arrangements were aimed at gradually eliminating Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) from supplying Grade 9 coal to the Yadadri plant and increasing the share of imported coal from 50% to 100%.