HYDERABAD: Providing proof that site visit norms in tender notifications were established much before Congress formed a government in Telangana, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka categorically asserted that there was nothing wrong with the Naini Coal Block tendering process, which is now stands cancelled.
He stated that he directed the authorities not to leave scope for “benefit of doubt” based on the articles published in Telugu news and media.
Addressing a press conference, the Deputy Chief Minister suggested BRS leader and former minister T Harish Rao to write to him instead of writing to the Central government for enquiry.
Vikramarka said the state government was prepared to order an inquiry into tenders of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) from 2014 onwards, provided the BRS formally sought it after Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy returns from his foreign tour.
“If Harish Rao writes a letter, I am ready for an inquiry into all tenders and contracts awarded in Singareni from 2014 till date,” he said.
‘Won’t allow vultures to prey on Telangana's assets’
Vikramarka also asked vernacular media outlets to issue clarifications based on documents he presented, including tenders issued by Coal India Limited, the National Mineral Development Corporation and other public sector units, which show the requirement of a mandatory “site visit certificate”. One of the documents cited was from 2018.
“The condition of mandatory site inspection before awarding contracts is not a new rule introduced by us. This provision already exists in Coal India, NMDC, oil companies and several other major public sector companies,” he said, while rejecting what he described as “false propaganda” that Singareni tenders were being awarded to the chief minister’s brother-in-law.
Describing SCCL as an asset of Telangana, the deputy chief minister asserted: “I will not allow vultures, predators or powerful interests to descend on Singareni.” He added that he had ensured transparency in the functioning of the company.
He also dismissed allegations by Harish Rao that handing over diesel supply to contractors had opened the door to another scam. Vikramarka said no changes were made during the present government’s tenure and that the system was introduced in 2022 under the previous BRS government to address GST-related issues and prevent diesel theft.
He added that the practice was followed in contracts across the State and the country.
Responding to a question on why field visit certificates were not issued, Vikramarka said the tender was cancelled before reaching that stage. He said such certificates are issued only after pre-bid meetings with prospective bidders.