Hyderabad: Former minister T Harish Rao on Monday, September 22, lashed out at the Congress-led Telangana government, accusing it of “cheating” Singareni coal workers in the name of Dasara bonus.

In a statement, the senior BRS leader alleged that the government pushed Singareni workers into disappointment by declaring a bonus from reduced profits.

Govt reduced distributable share: Harish Rao

“Instead of considering the total profit of Rs 6,394 crore, the government has restricted the bonus calculation to Rs 2,360 crore, which is highly condemnable. They reduced the distributable share, increased the percentages artificially, and deceived workers,” he said.

He recalled that during BRS governance, former chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) ensured workers received a share from the net profits.

“It was KCR who enhanced the workers’ share from 16 per cent to 32 per cent. But the Congress government set aside one-third of the profits and declared a bonus only from a part of the remaining share. This is unjust,” Harish Rao stated.

Pay 34 pc of net profits as bonus: Harish Rao

Demanding that the government pay 34 per cent of net profits as a bonus, Harish Rao warned that if injustice is meted out to Singareni workers, he would stand by them and fight for their rights.