Plans afoot to expand SCCL on global scale, landmark tribal welfare schemes a hallmark of people's govt.: Bhatti
Plans are afoot to expand the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) on a global scale in a phenomenal manner, said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, also Energy and Finance Minister.
Speaking after inaugurating the SCCL General Manager's office and a workshop in the coal town of Kothagudem, on Saturday, he said, 'We have appointed experts to gather the necessary information and make recommendations for this expansion. Once we receive the report, we will initiate the action plan.'
Mr. Vikramarka said, 'SCCL, with over a hundred years of experience in coal mining, is being considered for profitable ventures in technical and mineral excavation.'
New mines are ready to extract 22 million tonnes of coal over the next 30 years, he noted, referring to the expansion and diversification plans of SCCL.
Emphasising on the safety and welfare of the workforce, he said, 'The primary goal is the safety of Singareni workers – business comes only after that. SCCL is providing ₹1 crore accident insurance cover along with compassionate appointments to SCCL workers.'
Meanwhile, addressing the Telangana Adivasi Congress workers' meeting in Palvancha, he hit out at the previous BRS government accusing it of failing to utilise the SC/ST Sub-Plan funds.
'In the current Praja government, we are spending every rupee of Sub-Plan funds with precision. Under the Sub-Plan, ₹17,169 crore has been allocated for tribals this fiscal. Additionally, ₹1,296 crore unspent funds from the past have been carried forward,' he said.
In 2006, the then Congress-led Central government issued land titles to tribals cultivating forest lands, he recalled, adding that the current Congress dispensation in Telangana allocated funds for tribals to live with dignity in line with the party's Nallamala Declaration.
He reminded that during his tenure as Deputy Speaker in united Andhra Pradesh, he ensured that the SC/ST Sub-Plan Act was passed in the Assembly.
He added that the Indira Saura Giri Jala Vikasam scheme envisages irrigation facilities to 6.7 lakh acres of tribal land besides offering free pumpsets and plants like avocado and oil palm. Allocation of ₹1,000 crore for tribals under the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam scheme is a historic first in India, he asserted.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Time of India
Protecting Shivalik ecosystem: SC-constituted committee to probe forest law violations in Mohali
1 2 Mohali: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court , is set to investigate alleged violations of forest and wildlife laws that have recently come to light in the forest areas of Mohali, with a focus on protecting the fragile Shivalik ecosystem. Sources said the CEC will visit Karoran, Nada, Masol, and adjoining villages in Mohali district on Monday. The visit follows a formal complaint highlighting widespread irregularities in forest management and potential breaches of environmental regulations in the region. The sources said the committee will assess the extent of ecological damage, particularly to forest land and wildlife habitats, and evaluate the actions taken by government departments in response to the alleged violations. Based on its findings, the CEC is expected to recommend corrective measures to ensure enforcement of conservation laws. The villages under scrutiny fall within areas protected under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA), 1900, and the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. Despite restrictions, reports of illegal hill-cutting and encroachments have allegedly persisted for years, leading to the degradation of ecologically sensitive zones in the Shivalik hills. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Soluções de energia de confiança para Data Centers de IA Siemens Energy Learn More Undo Environmental activists and residents allege that the forest department, district administration, the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (Gmada), and panchayati raj institutions failed to curb these violations. Many have pointed to the alleged involvement of an influential land mafia operating with impunity in the region. The Shivalik forests, part of the outer Himalayas, are known for their rich biodiversity and are home to several endangered species listed in the IUCN Red List. The ecological value of this landscape has been extensively documented, including in the publication Biodiversity in Shivaliks by Neelima Jairath of the Punjab State Council for Science & Technology. Adding context to the gravity of the issue, sources recall that a few years ago, when government officials attempted to reclaim encroached land using state machinery, they reportedly became targets of vigilance inquiries, allegedly influenced by those with vested interests in the land deals. The CEC, originally formed in 2002 (and reconstituted in 2008), functions under the SC's directives to monitor violations of forest and wildlife laws and report to the ministry of environment, forest and climate change. The committee traces its origins to a landmark SC judgment delivered on Dec 12, 1996, which broadened the definition of 'forest' to include any land exhibiting forest-like characteristics, irrespective of ownership.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Telangana govt to launch Rajiv Yuva Vikasam on state's formation day
Hyderabad: The Telangana Congress govt is set to launch its flagship programme, Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, on Monday, which coincides with the state's formation day. The scheme aims to provide self-employment opportunities to young people from SC, ST, BC and minority communities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The scheme targets around 4.9 lakh beneficiaries in phases, with a deadline by the end of October. In the first phase, the state govt has identified 57,634 beneficiaries, who will receive sanction letters on Monday. The govt has set a target of including 85,000 beneficiaries in the scheme this month. Notably, Rajanna Sirisilla district, which submitted only 7,681 applications, has an eligibility rate of nearly 95%. This district ranks second in terms of the number of beneficiaries (7,069), after Sanga Reddy (7,657). Khammam comes third with 4,588 beneficiaries. Interestingly, despite 6,189 applications being submitted from Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, none were accepted. Apart from Gadwal, Asifabad, Jangoan, Mulugu, Narayanpet and Wanaparthy, all of which received fewer than 10,000 applications, all other districts received over 10,000. The govt has also decided to allocate Rs 6,250 crore in subsidies for the accepted applications. This amount will be distributed in instalments from June to October. In June, benefits ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 100,000 will be provided, subsidised by Rs 1,000 crore. An additional Rs 1,000 crore will be allocated in July for benefits of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh. From August to Sept, Rs 1,500 crore will be allocated each month for benefits ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. In October, a further Rs 1,600 crore will be spent to provide benefits to the remaining applicants.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Dharavi's ₹95,790 crore makeover: 5 things to know about the Master Plan approved by the Maharashtra government
The Dharavi Redevelopment Master Plan received the state government's approval on May 28, according to a statement from the office of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Master Plan details the redevelopment and rehabilitation of Dharavi, India's largest slum cluster. Here are five things that you need to know about the Master Plan of the Dharavi redevelopment project. The Master Plan will serve as a comprehensive blueprint for integrating residential, commercial, and industrial spaces while rehabilitating residents in Dharavi. It aims to modernise infrastructure while preserving Dharavi's socio-economic fabric. Spanning over 600 acres, Dharavi is all set to undergo a facelift, with nearly 300 acres marked specifically for redevelopment and rehabilitation. In January 2024, Navbharat Mega Developers Private Limited (NMDPL), a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the Adani Group, appointed renowned architect Hafeez Contractor to lead the redevelopment initiative. Also Read: Mumbai News: Dharavi redevelopment master plan gets Maharashtra government's nod According to the master plan of the Dharavi redevelopment project, a total of 72,000 tenants are presumed to be eligible for rehabilitation. Out of the 72,000 tenants, over 13,000 units are non-residential tenants, and the balance are residential tenants. As per Maharashtra's Slum Rehabilitation Act, each eligible resident of Dharavi will receive one rehabilitation unit, regardless of the number of tenements they own. These units will be 350 sq. ft. in size, an upgrade from the 300 sq. ft. units provided in other slum redevelopment projects. Residents deemed ineligible for rehabilitation within Dharavi will be relocated to rental housing complexes outside the area under a hire-purchase arrangement. According to the Master Plan of the Dharavi notified area, which covers a total of 251 hectares, the net developable area is 108.99 hectares, which is slightly above 269 acres. Out of the total 108.99 hectares, 47.20 hectares are reserved for the rehabilitation of Dharavi residents. Another 47.95 hectares are reserved for a saleable component, where residential, commercial, and retail units will be sold in the open market. The Master Plan also reserves around 40 hectares, or around 99 acres, for open spaces. Also Read: 100 acres of greenery, open space proposed in Dharavi According to the Master Plan, a survey has been completed for around 56,971 structures and partially completed for the remaining structures as of May 19. The door-to-door survey is being undertaken to identify the tenants' eligibility. The authorities are expecting to complete the entire door-to-door survey in the next two months. According to the Master Plan of the Dharavi redevelopment project, the rehab portion of the project is estimated to cost over ₹95,000 crore. The first commencement certificate for the rehab portion's construction was received on January 14, 2025, and the end date is seven years later, on January 13, 2032. The timeline for the entire project, including the sale component, is 17 years. Also Read: ₹3 lakh crore investment expected for the Dharavi redevelopment project: CEO The total project cost, including the sale component and other components, is expected to be ₹3 lakh crore. Speaking to reporters on February 27, SVR Srinivas, CEO of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, estimated the total investment for the redevelopment and rehabilitation project to be approximately ₹3 lakh crore.
