Balka Suman arrest aimed at diverting attention from Singareni issues, says KTR

Hyderabad: BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao alleged that the Balka Suman arrest was politically motivated and intended to divert public attention from alleged irregularities in the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). He made the remarks after meeting former MLA Balka Suman at Chanchalguda Jail on Thursday.

KTR accused the Congress government of targeting opposition leaders instead of addressing corruption allegations. He claimed that the BRS had been exposing several alleged irregularities since the Congress government came to power.

According to KTR, the Balka Suman arrest formed part of a larger attempt to silence those raising questions about developments in Singareni. He alleged that authorities booked the former MLA under the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act for speaking on issues concerning Singareni workers and SCCL.

KTR also claimed that courts questioned certain police actions in the case. He said some charges filed against Balka Suman were later struck down.

KTR raises fresh questions after Balka Suman arrest

The BRS leader alleged that nearly 40 lakh metric tonnes of coal, valued at around ₹1,600 crore, appeared in Singareni records without corresponding mining activity. He demanded accountability from both the Telangana government and the Centre, which holds a 49 per cent stake in SCCL.

Furthermore, KTR announced that he would seek an investigation by Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy into the matter. He said the issue required a detailed probe.

KTR also criticised the government’s handling of employee-related matters. He alleged that authorities had not convened the Medical Board for compassionate appointments for nearly 11 months. In addition, he claimed that a vigilance inquiry into about 19,000 succession jobs granted during the BRS regime had created uncertainty among workers’ families.

He said Balka Suman remained determined despite being in jail. He urged party leaders to continue fighting for the rights of Singareni employees and their families.

“Jails and cases are nothing new to us. The BRS will continue its campaign until the alleged irregularities are fully exposed,” KTR said.