Which one of the following is the first and the oldest Government-owned coal mining company in India?

The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is the first and oldest government-owned coal mining company in India. While its historical roots trace back to 1886 when the Hyderabad (Deccan) Company Limited acquired mining rights, the present company was formally incorporated on December 23, 1920, under the Hyderabad Companies Act. In 1945, the State of Hyderabad purchased the majority of its shares, making it a government-owned entity. By 1956, it became a government company under the control of the Government of Andhra Pradesh [2]. In contrast, Neyveli Lignite Corporation was formed later in 1956, and Coal India Limited (CIL) was established in 1975 following the nationalization of coal mines in 1973 [2]. Today, SCCL remains a joint venture between the Government of Telangana and the Government of India [3].

Sources

1. [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singareni_Collieries_Company
2. [1] https://coal.gov.in/about-us/history-background
3. [3] Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > Background: > p. 427