Kavitha Demands Dependent Jobs for Medically Unfit Singareni Workers

Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) president Kalvakuntla Kavitha has said dependent employment for Singareni coal mine workers is not a government charity or favour, but a right of the workers. She alleged that attempts were being made to weaken Singareni by restricting compassionate appointments and warned that the workers’ movement would be intensified if the government failed to address their concerns.

Kavitha alleged that authorities had delayed the formation of medical boards for Singareni employees who had applied to be declared medically unfit. She said the boards were being conducted only after the HMS and Telangana Rakshana Sena organised the ‘Singareni Bayibata’ programme and warned of a hunger strike if the process was not initiated.

According to Kavitha, medical boards have been conducted for the past two months, but only around 12.5 per cent of the workers examined were being declared medically unfit. The remaining employees were allegedly being certified as fit for duty and sent back to work. She claimed that some of those workers were suffering from serious health problems, raising concerns over the manner in which their medical conditions were being assessed.

Kavitha said Singareni workers perform physically demanding jobs in coal mines and face considerable health risks while contributing to the state’s energy requirements. She demanded that all employees who had applied for medical assessment be examined fairly and that those found medically unfit be provided dependent jobs for their eligible family members.

She also challenged the Chief Minister’s claims regarding the quality of Singareni coal, saying the company has access to multiple grades of coal. Kavitha said Singareni has coal ranging from G-3 to G-8 grades, besides G-9 grade coal at several locations.

She cited the JVR Coal Handling Plant, Manuguru OC-2 Extension, KCHP, Ramagundam 11 Incline, Bhupalpally, Mandamarri and Srirampur, along with the Naini Coal Block in Odisha, as locations where G-9 coal is available.

Kavitha further alleged that the government was using claims about coal quality to avoid clearing around Rs 54,000 crore allegedly owed to Singareni. She also alleged that importing coal from other states could benefit private companies.

She said the Telangana Rakshana Sena would oppose any moves that weaken Singareni and vowed to intensify its agitation if the workers’ demands were not addressed.