Kavitha Turns Spotlight on Singareni, Pitches Herself as Voice of Workers

Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) chief K. Kavitha on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the management of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) , accusing officials of neglecting workers' welfare, favouring contractors, and creating an environment where employees are subjected to harassment and poor working conditions.

During her visit to the RK-7 coal mine in Srirampur of Mancherial district as part of the party's Bayi Bata programme, Kavitha alleged that the management has failed to address even basic concerns of mine workers despite the company's financial strength. She claimed that funds are readily available for administrative requirements and contractor payments, while workers continue to struggle for essential facilities.

In remarks that drew attention, Kavitha said some officials appear to believe they can act with impunity because the era of organised resistance in the coal belt has faded. Referring to the region's history of labour activism, she warned that those who once stood up for workers' rights are now aligned with her political movement and would continue to challenge any injustice.

"The rights of workers cannot be ignored. We will not remain silent if employees are harassed," she said, adding that legal action could be pursued against officials accused of violating workers' rights.

The TRS leader alleged that miners are still being forced to work with outdated machinery , while adequate safety equipment remains unavailable in several locations. She further claimed that even basic amenities such as safe drinking water are lacking at some mining sites, raising concerns about worker welfare and workplace standards.

Kavitha also highlighted the increasing participation of women in the mining workforce, describing it as a significant milestone for Singareni. However, she expressed concern over the lack of proper infrastructure and support systems for female employees, saying the company must ensure that women workers are provided with the facilities necessary to perform their duties safely and comfortably.

On employee benefits, Kavitha demanded an additional ₹10,000 bonus over the previous payout and called for medical boards to be conducted twice every month. She also urged the company to expedite the processing of more than 2,000 pending dependent employment cases , arguing that affected families have been waiting for far too long.

She further called on Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy to allocate additional mining blocks to Singareni and said coal reserves in the Godavari Valley should be prioritised for the state-owned company. Kavitha maintained that strengthening Singareni and safeguarding workers' interests would remain a key focus of her party's political agenda.