Centre asks Telangana CM to probe 1,600 crore missing coal

India's Union Coal Minister, G Kishan Reddy, has ignited a fresh political flashpoint by demanding an urgent, high-level inquiry from Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy into reports of a staggering 40 lakh tonnes (4 million tonnes) of coal, valued at approximately Rs 1,600 crore, allegedly missing from the state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL). The directive, issued in a letter dated June 10, 2026, cites serious media allegations that could critically compromise SCCL financial stability, already precarious due to massive outstanding dues from the Telangana government. The stakes are exceptionally high for SCCL, a crucial Public Sector Undertaking jointly owned by the Telangana government (51%) and the Centre (49%), which underpins Telangana's economy, employs nearly 40,000 individuals, and contributes significantly to national energy security. This alleged disappearance of coal stock comes as SCCL grapples with over Rs 51,500 crore in unpaid dues from the Telangana government, with Minister Reddy warning that further irregularities could severely impede the company's future growth and sustainability. The Union Minister's letter also implicitly links this potential malfeasance to a broader need for robust internal controls and transparent coal stock management, especially given past controversies surrounding coal allocation irregularities in India. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is now under pressure to launch a comprehensive probe, assess the veracity of these reports, and implement technology-based monitoring to prevent recurrence, as suggested by the Union Minister. The situation sets the stage for a potential showdown between the Centre and the Telangana government, particularly after Revanth Reddy recently accused Kishan Reddy of failing to secure state projects. Observers will be watching for the promptness and depth of the state's inquiry, as well as any immediate measures to safeguard SCCL assets and uphold its credibility amidst this fresh wave of scrutiny.