Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka announced that the Telangana government plans to expand the operations of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) into the mining of lithium, graphite, and other minerals in the near future. To guide this expansion, the government will soon invite global experts for advice on how to diversify SCCL’s mining activities beyond coal fields. This initiative aims to secure a brighter future for both the company and its employees. Bhatti made these remarks at an event where the government distributed Rs 100,000 to each of the 20 students who successfully cleared the UPSC mains and were selected for interviews. This financial support is part of the Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhaya Hastham scheme. He criticised the previous BRS government for using SCCL for political gain rather than working to elevate its global standing. Under the Congress government, SCCL is being prioritised, with employee welfare being a key focus. The government has provided Rs 10 million accidental insurance to Singareni employees, recognising their vital contribution to Telangana’s growth. Bhatti further stated that the government intends to transform Singareni into a globally recognised institution by expanding into green energy projects in unused mining areas. This includes a shift towards solar energy and pumped storage initiatives, aligning with the global move away from coal. Leveraging Singareni’s century-long mining expertise, the government plans to explore lithium and graphite mining. Additionally, the state government is building integrated residential schools for Singareni employees' children in every assembly constituency, with each school costing a minimum of Rs 2 billion. (ET)