As part of the new industrial policy, the State government had decided to establish a Coal Corridor — along the coal belt region of north Telangana — that would comprise ancillary units for the Singareni Collieries Company Limited. The units would not only provide employment to the locals but also supply material and spare parts for the SCCL, NTPC Ramagundam, the upcoming Ramagundam Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited (RFCL) and other industries in Ramagundam coal belt region.
The Singareni management is taking steps to towards setting up of Coal Corridor and an industrial estate is coming up the Powerhouse Colony in Godavarikhani where 11 units are scheduled to come up. The SCCL would provide infrastructure like sheds, electricity and water to young entrepreneurs to set up their units and supply required material to the collieries. Work is on at a brisk pace at the industrial area and it is likely to be ready for occupation in a couple of months, sources said. The setting up of ancillary units of Singareni in the region was pending for several decades. The trade union leaders and others have been demanding that the SCCL help establishment of ancillary units so that the company would be able to procure locally its requirement of material like roof-bolts, roof supporters, nuts and bolts, cement capsules, wire mesh and electric appliances and other spare parts for the mining operations.
The SCCL management has already started the process of identification of interested and unemployed youth from among the land oustees, coal miners and local youth for the setting up of the units to produce its requirement. The Singareni management has taken up capacity building of interested youth and helping them draw up project proposals apart from assisting them in getting bank loans. The SCCL is also giving an assurance to buy the products of the units to help provide employment throughout the year, the sources added.
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The SCCL has been procuring materials like roof bolts, roof supporters, cement capsules, levering and wire mesh, worth over ₹ 300 to ₹ 500 crore per annum from various private companies.
The setting up of the units by the locals would ensure supply of such spare parts material at low cost and help youth to secure employment, the sources said. “It is a mutually beneficial programme and also corporate social responsibility programme of the Singareni,” they maintained.