This report presents a three-year review of SECL’s CSR journey, highlighting its social investments, flagship projects, sector-wise spending, community impact, and the evolving balance between coal production and sustainable development.
The coal sector remains a vital employer, supporting over 2.8 million direct and indirect jobs nationwide, with sustained investments in skill development, safety standards, and mechanisation aimed at enhancing both productivity and worker welfare. As India advances toward its target of becoming a $5 trillion economy, coal will remain a pivotal enabler — powering industries, facilitating infrastructure build-out, and securing the nation’s energy future. ndia remains one of the fastest-growing major economies and continues to be a key positive for the global outlook. India’s coal demand is set to remain on a firm upward trajectory over the coming decades, driven by rising electricity requirements, industrial expansion, and the absence of large-scale, cost-effective alternatives for reliable base-load power.
1. Introduction
Coal has historically been a cornerstone of economic growth, serving as the primary energy driver of the Industrial Revolution and the early phases of industrialization across many nations. Its abundance, cost-effectiveness, and reliability enabled rapid industrial expansion, powering factories, locomotives, and steamships. Even today, coal remains indispensable for energy-intensive sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals—industries that form the backbone of infrastructure creation and, by extension, sustained economic progress. Moreover, coal mining and its associated industries provide substantial employment opportunities, fostering livelihoods not only in mining regions but also in allied sectors such as transportation, logistics, and heavy equipment manufacturing.
In India, coal continues to underpin economic resilience and energy security. According to provisional figures from the Ministry of Coal, domestic coal production crossed 1.05 billion tonnes in FY 2024–25, the highest in the nation’s history—a 10% increase over the previous year. This record output reflects concerted efforts in
capacity expansion, operational efficiency, and technology adoption across the sector. Coal remains the dominant source of electricity, contributing around 73% of total generation in 2025, as per the Central Electricity Authority, ensuring stable and affordable power for industrial and household consumption alike.
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), headquartered at Seepat Road, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, is India’s largest coal-producing subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL). Holding Mini Ratna Category-I PSU status, SECL operates 57 major coal projects across the states of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Its mines include Gevra and Kusmunda, ranked the 2nd and 4th largest coal mines in the world by WorldAtlas.com as of FY 2023-24.
SECL continues to shoulder the vital responsibility of contributing to the nation’s energy security, accounting for approximately 21.44% of the total coal production of Coal India Limited (CIL) during the year.
The mines of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (“SECL”) are located in different parts of the States of Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh, and are relatively in isolated areas with little contact to the outside society. Coal mining has profound impact on the people living in and around the areas where the mines are established. The obvious impact of the introduction of any production activity in such areas changes the traditional lifestyle of the original inhabitants and indigenous communities and also changes the socio- economic profile of the Area. Hence, the primary beneficiaries of CSR should be Land Oustees, Project Affected Persons (PAPs) and those staying within the radius of 25 KMs of SECL establishment. The underprivileged section of society living in different parts of the states in which the SECL the operating should be the secondary beneficiary.
Under Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014, SECL is mandated to spend 2% of its average net profits of the preceding three financial years on approved CSR activities. Guided by its tagline ‘We reach the unreachable,’ the company’s CSR approach has evolved significantly over the last three financial years, shifting from bare compliance to proactive, impactful community investment.
This report provides a comprehensive review of SECL’s CSR performance across FY 2022-23, FY 2023-24, and FY 2024-25, drawing on the company’s annual reports, CSR disclosures, and Ministry of Coal communications. It analyses spending trends, sector-wise allocations, key projects, social outcomes, and the broader developmental context of SECL’s community engagement strategy.
In pursuit of the strategic vision to achieve 1.0 BT coal production, SECL has taken decisive steps to address the long-standing challenge of coal evacuation, ensuring that mine expansion is matched by robust rail and road connectivity. The Company has deployed environment- friendly, high-capacity systems such as in-pit conveyors, Rapid Loading Systems (RLS), and bunker-to silo arrangements for efficient, dust-free loading. Two dedicated subsidiaries are developing specialised rail corridors across Mand Raigarh, Korba, and Central India Coalfields, significantly enhancing linkage to the Indian Railways trunk network. Four new First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects — Gevra RLS (20 MTPA), Dipka CHP (25 MTPA), Baroud CHP (10 MTPA), and Chhal CHP (6 MTPA) — were commissioned during the year, further reinforcing SECL’s commitment to sustainable, high-volume coal evacuation.
2. Financial Performance: The Foundation of CSR Capacity
SECL’s CSR obligations are directly tied to its financial performance. The three years under review have witnessed exceptional growth in production, revenue, and profitability, substantially increasing the company’s CSR capacity and obligations.
In FY 2024-25, your Company recorded a consolidated capital expenditure of Rs. 5,223.44 crore, including investments through its subsidiaries — Chhattisgarh East Railway Limited (CERL) and Chhattisgarh East-West Railway Limited (CEWRL) — and a standalone CAPEX of Rs. 3,484.17 crore.
Table 1: SECL Key Financial Indicators (FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25)
| Indicator | FY 2022-23 | FY 2023-24 | FY 2024-25 |
| Coal Production (MT) | 167.01 | 187.38 | 167.49 |
| Gross Sales (Rs. Crore) | 33,321.84 | 38,904.85 | 35,800 (approx.) |
| Profit Before Tax (Rs. Crore) | 5,439.76 | 9,297.45 | ~6,000 (est.) |
| Profit After Tax (Rs. Crore) | 3,865.31 | 6,971.06 | ~4,600 (est.) |
| Net Worth (Rs. Crore) | 8,303.13 | 14,465.53 | ~17,000 (est.) |
| Dividend Paid (Rs. Crore) | 749.56 | 2,091.68 | 1,400 (est.) |
| Capital Expenditure (Rs. Crore) | 4,852.61 | 4,345.90 | 5,223.44 |
Source: SECL Annual Reports 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25
The jump in profitability between FY 2022-23 and FY 2023-24 (PBT growing from Rs. 5,440 crore to Rs. 9,297 crore) was especially significant, as it sharply elevated SECL’s statutory CSR obligation for subsequent years. FY 2023-24 also recorded SECL’s highest-ever coal production of 187.38 million tonnes, with growth of 12.20% over the previous year, reinforcing the company’s position as the backbone of India’s domestic coal supply.
3. CSR Obligations and Spending: Three-Year Trajectory
The following table captures the evolution of SECL’s CSR financial obligations and actual spending across the three years, alongside the relationship between statutory mandate and actual disbursement.
Table 2: SECL CSR Obligation vs. Actual Expenditure
| Parameter | FY 2021-22 | FY 2022-23 | FY 2023-24 | FY 2024-25 |
| Statutory CSR Obligation (Rs. Crore) | 67.58 | ~45.00 (est.) | ~52.00 (est.) | 99.76 |
| Actual CSR Expenditure (Rs. Crore) | 69.34 | ~47.00 (est.) | 53.07 | ~180.00 |
| Spend as % of Obligation | 102.6% | ~104% | ~102% | ~180% |
| Healthcare Share of CSR Spend (%) | ~60% | ~63% | 70% | ~55% |
| PAP Employment (Numbers) | N/A | 704 PAPs | 707 PAPs | Data awaited |
Source: SECL Annual Reports; Ministry of Coal; PSU Watch (2025). Some figures for FY 2022-23 are estimated based on available disclosures.
Chart 1: SECL CSR Expenditure Growth
| Financial Year | CSR Expenditure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| FY 2021-22 | ₹69.34 Cr | Actual |
| FY 2022-23 | ₹47.00 Cr | Estimated |
| FY 2023-24 | ₹53.07 Cr | Actual |
| FY 2024-25 | ₹180.00 Cr | Approved / Disbursed |
Growth Chart
| Financial Year | CSR Expenditure Trend |
|---|---|
| FY 2021-22 | ███████████████████ ₹69.34 Cr |
| FY 2022-23 | █████████████ ₹47.00 Cr |
| FY 2023-24 | ███████████████ ₹53.07 Cr |
| FY 2024-25 | ██████████████████████████████████████████████████ ₹180.00 Cr |
Note: FY 2022-23 figure is estimated. FY 2024-25 reflects the approved/disbursed amount as per the Ministry of Coal statement.
Chart 1: SECL CSR Expenditure Growth (FY 2021-22 to FY 2024-25) – Rs. Crore
| FY 2021-22 | 69.34 Cr | ||
| FY 2022-23 | 47 Cr (est.) | ||
| FY 2023-24 | 53.07 Cr | ||
| FY 2024-25 | 180 Cr |
Note: FY 2022-23 figure is an estimate. FY 2024-25 reflects approved/disbursed amount per Ministry of Coal statement.
The most dramatic shift came in FY 2024-25, when SECL approved Rs. 170 crore and actually spent approximately Rs. 180 crore on CSR activities. This represents nearly 2.4 times the statutory mandate of Rs. 99.76 crore for that year. As SECL’s Director (Personnel) Biranchi Das noted, ‘For SECL, the statutory limit is just a threshold, not a ceiling.’
4. Sector-Wise CSR Allocation: Three-Year Analysis
SECL’s CSR expenditure is distributed across five primary sectors as defined by Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. The following table and chart capture the evolution of sector-wise allocation across the review period.
Table 3: Sector-Wise CSR Allocation Overview (FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25)
| CSR Sector | FY 2022-23 | FY 2023-24 | FY 2024-25 | Key Initiative (FY 24-25) |
| Healthcare and Nutrition | ~63% | 70% | ~55% | SECL Ki Dhadkan, MRI Machine, TB Screening |
| Education and Digital Learning | ~18% | ~15% | ~27% | NIT Hostel, Digi Vidya, SECL ke Sushrut |
| Skill Development and Livelihood | ~7% | ~5% | ~5% | ATDC Vocational Training (400 youth) |
| Environmental Sustainability | ~6% | ~5% | ~7% | Miyawaki Forest, Afforestation, Solar (20 MW) |
| Rural Development and Infrastructure | ~6% | ~5% | ~6% | Irrigation projects, Sanitation, Drinking Water |
| Total CSR Spend (Rs. Crore approx.) | ~47 | 53.07 | ~180 |
Note: Sector percentages are estimated from available disclosures. DPE guideline requires minimum 60% on healthcare.
Chart 2: Healthcare Spending as % of CSR Budget vs. DPE Minimum (60%)
| Financial Year / Benchmark | Healthcare Share of CSR Budget | Status |
|---|---|---|
| DPE Minimum Required | 60% | Benchmark |
| FY 2022-23 | 63% | Above Minimum |
| FY 2023-24 | 70% | Above Minimum |
| FY 2024-25 | 55% | Below Minimum |
Growth / Comparison Chart
| Financial Year / Benchmark | Healthcare Spending Trend |
|---|---|
| DPE Minimum Required | ██████████████████████████████ 60% |
| FY 2022-23 | ███████████████████████████████ 63% |
| FY 2023-24 | ███████████████████████████████████ 70% |
| FY 2024-25 | ████████████████████████████ 55% |
| DPE Minimum Required | 60% | ||
| FY 2022-23 | 63% | ||
| FY 2023-24 | 70% | ||
| FY 2024-25 | 55% |
In FY 2023-24, healthcare commanded 70% of CSR spending, exceeding the DPE guideline target of 60%. In FY 2024-25, while the healthcare share dipped proportionally, the absolute spending on healthcare rose sharply given the nearly 3.4x increase in total CSR expenditure.
CSR Unspent
For FY 2020-21, SECL has deposited an unspent amount of Rs. 41.09 Crores in Unspent CSR Account, against which an expenditure amounting to Rs. 10.48 Crore has been incurred in FY 2021-22, Rs/ 13.17 Crore in FY 2022-23 & Rs. 6.22 Crore in FY 2023-24. The total expenditure against the Unspent amount of Rs. 29.87 Crore has been incurred as per CSR Companies Amendment Act, 2021 and balance Rs. 11.22 Crore has been transferred to ‘Swachh Bharat Kosh’ on 29.04.2024.
5. Flagship CSR Projects: Three-Year Impact Assessment
5.1 Healthcare Initiatives
SECL Ki Dhadkan (Coal India Ka Nanha Sa Dil)
Launched as a pilot in September 2024 in partnership with Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, Raipur, the first dedicated centre in India for free paediatric cardiac surgery, SECL Ki Dhadkan addresses the high incidence of Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) among children in SECL’s operational areas.
Screening camps conducted in Anuppur and Raigarh districts found CHD incidence exceeding the national average of 8-12 per 1,000 live births. The programme has been expanded into three phases targeting 1,000 surgeries at a total outlay of Rs. 15 crore, with 120 surgeries already completed.
Table 4: SECL Ki Dhadkan – Progress Tracker
| Phase | Target Surgeries | Status | Budget (Rs. Crore) |
| Pilot (Sept 2024) | 60 | Completed | ~1.50 |
| Phase I | 60 | Completed | ~1.50 |
| Phase II and III | 880 (planned) | Approved | ~12.00 |
| Total | 1,000 | Ongoing | 15.00 |
TB Elimination Campaign
In alignment with India’s 100-Day Intensified TB Elimination Campaign, SECL partnered with RK HIV and AIDS Research and Care Centre, Mumbai, for a Rs. 3.82 crore project covering Bilaspur, Raigarh, Surajpur, and Anuppur districts. The project includes free TB screenings for 50,000 people and provision of medicines and nutritional kits for 300 TB patients.
Advanced Medical Infrastructure
SECL’s single largest healthcare infrastructure investment in the three-year period was the procurement and installation of a 3.0 Tesla MRI machine at Late Bisahu Das Mahant Memorial Medical College, Korba, at a cost of Rs. 28.08 crore. This dramatically enhanced diagnostic capability for an entire region that previously lacked this facility. Additionally, Rs. 61.96 lakh was provided to the Ramakrishna Mission’s Maa Sarada Charitable Dispensary in Bilaspur to procure essential medical equipment.
Table 5: Key Healthcare CSR Projects (FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25)
| Project | Description | Partner | Year | Outlay (Rs.) |
| SECL Ki Dhadkan | Free paediatric cardiac surgeries for CHD patients from coalfield areas | Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, Raipur | FY 24-25 | 15 Crore |
| 3T MRI Machine | Advanced diagnostic MRI for LBDMM Medical College, Korba | LBDMM Medical College | FY 23-24 | 28.08 Cr |
| TB Screening Campaign | 50,000 screenings and medicines for 300 TB patients in 4 districts | RK HIV and AIDS Research Centre, Mumbai | FY 24-25 | 3.82 Cr |
| Ramakrishna Mission Dispensary | Medical equipment for Maa Sarada Dispensary, Bilaspur | Ramakrishna Mission, Bilaspur | FY 23-24 | 61.96 L |
5.2 Education and Digital Learning
SECL Ke Sushrut
SECL Ke Sushrut is a free residential NEET coaching programme for meritorious students from below-poverty-line and project-affected families in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Two batches of 40 students each have been coached. In the 2024 batch, 39 out of 40 students cracked NEET, with 19 securing government medical college seats. In 2025, 31 out of 40 cleared NEET, with 23 qualifying for government colleges. SECL is now planning to extend fee support for students who cleared NEET but cannot afford admission costs, and is developing CLAT and JEE Main coaching tracks for 2025.
Smart Classrooms and Digi Vidya
Table 6: Education CSR Projects Comparison (FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25)
| Project | Description | Beneficiary Area | Year | Outlay |
| PM e-VIDYA Smart Classrooms | Installation of 782 smart classrooms in government schools | Korba, Raigarh, Umaria | FY 22-24 | N/A |
| Digi Vidya (Anuppur) | 265 smart classrooms and 84 science labs in 84 schools | Anuppur, MP | FY 24-25 | 13.73 Cr |
| NIT Raipur Girls Hostel | 500-bed girls hostel at NIT Raipur to support women in higher education | Raipur, CG | FY 24-25 | 48.19 Cr |
| SECL Ke Sushrut | Free residential NEET coaching – 2 batches, 70+ students now in MBBS | CG and MP Districts | FY 23-25 | N/A |
| Science College Upgradation | Physics lab and classroom upgradation at Govt. E.R. Rao College, Bilaspur | Bilaspur | FY 23-24 | 13.17 L |
Chart 3: Smart Classroom Rollout Across SECL Districts
| Korba District | 300 classrooms | ||
| Raigarh District | 250 classrooms | ||
| Umaria District | 232 classrooms | ||
| Anuppur District (MP) | 265 classrooms |
Note: Korba, Raigarh, and Umaria totals are estimates based on the stated aggregate of 782 classrooms. Anuppur figure is confirmed from the Digi Vidya programme.
5.3 Skill Development and Livelihood
Recognising the need for economic diversification in coal-dependent communities, SECL has invested in vocational training and employment generation across the review period.
In FY 2024-25, a Rs. 3.12 crore MoU was signed with the Apparel Training and Design Centre (ATDC), Gurugram, to train 400 underprivileged youth in apparel and textile skills through both residential and non-residential formats, creating pathways to industrial employment.
Employment of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) has been a defining feature of SECL’s social contract with displaced communities. FY 2022-23 saw 704 PAPs given direct employment, an all-time high at the time. FY 2023-24 exceeded this with 707 landowner employment sanctions, the highest since SECL’s inception, enabled by an enhanced Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy specifically designed for its mega projects.
Chart 4: PAP Employment Trend (FY 2022-23 to FY 2023-24)
| FY 2022-23 (PAPs employed) | 704 persons | ||
| FY 2022-23 (Dependent cases) | 772 persons | ||
| FY 2023-24 (Landowner employment) | 707 persons |
5.4 Environmental Sustainability
SECL’s environmental CSR commitments span plantation and afforestation, mine reclamation, eco-tourism, and renewable energy. The company planted 1.3 million saplings across 500 hectares in FY 2024-25 alone, and has cumulatively planted 30 million saplings since 1986.
Table 7: Environmental CSR Initiatives (FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25)
| Initiative | Description | Scale/Outcome | Status |
| Accredited Compensatory Afforestation | Plantation across mined-out areas at Jamuna Kotma OCP as per Mine Closure Plan | 672 hectares | Operational |
| Miyawaki Forest Technique | Dense multi-species fast-growing forest using Japanese Miyawaki method at Gevra Project | 2 hectares (pilot) | Ongoing |
| Annual Tree Plantation | Multi-species saplings on OB dumps, roads, colonies and open land | 1.3 million in FY25, 30M since 1986 | Annual |
| 20 MW Solar Project | Ground-mounted solar at Bishrampur as part of CIL 114 MW solar initiative | ~100 GWh offset p.a. | Commissioned |
| Eco-tourism Sites | Manikpur Pokhari (Korba Area) and Bisrampur Tourism Site developed on reclaimed mine land | 2 sites | Operational |
| MoU for Reforestation | Five-year reforestation pact with CG and MP Rajya Van Vikas Nigam | Both states | Active |
5.5 Rural Development, Water, and Sanitation
Across all three years, SECL’s CSR portfolio has consistently included rural development, clean drinking water provision, and sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, with a geographic focus on communities within 25 km of mining operations.
A notable FY 2022-23 initiative was the provision of Rs. 99 lakh to the Balrampur District Administration for construction of four Farmers Community Irrigation Projects in Chaura village, directly benefiting cultivators in a mining-affected region of Chhattisgarh. Welfare programmes for differently-abled persons, ex-servicemen, women, and the elderly are also included in each year’s CSR plan.
Methodology & SDG Alignment
To understand the impact of SECL’s CSR initiatives, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted through a field-based approach.
Over the course of a week, the team undertook site visits, conducted structured interviews, administered questionnaires and photographic documentation
of the infrastructure, usage, and community interaction, along with telephonic interviews, were also conducted with beneficiaries. The evaluation aimed to capture both quantitative outputs and qualitative experiences. The company adopted the IRECS framework to assess and has also applied the Logic Model and the Theory of Change (ToC) to trace how project inputs and activities are translating into tangible outcomes and long-term impact. This systematic process allowed company to validate the findings from both a technical and beneficiary perspective of the CSR projects across diverse sectors, aligned with the ESG framework and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The insights gathered through this approach form the basis of the observations and recommendations are presented in this report.
6. Recognition and Awards
SECL’s CSR and governance performance has been recognised through multiple national awards across the three-year review period.
Table 8: Awards for CSR and Governance (FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25)
| Year | Award | Awarding Body | Category |
| FY 22-23 | Corporate Award (1st Prize) for CSR Expenditure and R&R | Governance Now PSU Awards | CSR / R&R |
| FY 24-25 | HR for the Great Good Award 2024 (Social Responsibility) | XLRI Jamshedpur – National Conclave for CPSEs | HR and CSR |
| FY 24-25 | Corporate Governance Award | ASSOCHAM Business Excellence Awards | Governance |
| FY 23-24 | Performance Excellence Award 2024 | Indian Institution of Industrial Engineering – CEO Conference | Operational |
7. Critical Analysis: Gaps and Ground-Level Concerns
No comprehensive CSR review of a mining company is complete without examining community-level concerns. Civil society organisations and tribal rights bodies have raised issues that offer an important counterpoint to SECL’s institutional narrative.
Cultural Survival, an international indigenous rights organisation, reported in January 2026 that the CSR section of SECL’s annual reports contains only brief and repetitive language, and that the on-ground reality for communities near mines such as Mahan II diverges significantly from corporate commitments. The report highlighted inadequate prior informed consent processes during mine expansions, coal runoff contaminating farmland during monsoons, and the scale of forest and farmland destruction visible in satellite imagery.
The Balrampur district irrigation grant of Rs. 99 lakh, while useful, represents a modest sum compared to the economic displacement caused by SECL’s expansion in the region. Critics argue that CSR activities, however sincere, cannot substitute for a rights-based approach to Rehabilitation and Resettlement that centres community agency.
SECL’s revised R&R policy, which offers enhanced compensation and employment guarantees for mega project land acquisitions, has been cited as an improvement. However, the gap between policy design and consistent field-level implementation remains a persistent concern in affected villages.
CSR vs. Community Displacement: The Context Gap
- SECL’s FY 2024-25 CSR budget: Rs. 180 crore
- SECL’s FY 2024-25 capital expenditure: Rs. 5,223 crore
- Ratio of CSR to CAPEX: approximately 3.4%
- CSR as % of gross sales (FY 24-25): approximately 0.50%
This context highlights the relative scale of community investment versus resource extraction.
The DPE guideline requiring at least 60% of CSR expenditure on healthcare is exceeded by SECL, reflecting strong compliance culture. However, the allocation toward environment and rural development, at roughly 5-7% each, remains proportionally modest given the ecological footprint of coal mining. Independent third-party impact assessments, while mandated for projects over Rs. 1 crore, are not systematically published, making it difficult for external stakeholders to verify outcome claims.
8. Comparative Context: SECL and Coal India CSR Ecosystem
SECL’s CSR performance can be better understood in the context of Coal India Limited’s broader CSR ecosystem. CIL’s estimated 3.56 crore CSR beneficiaries across subsidiaries in FY 2024-25 place it among India’s largest corporate social investors in terms of outreach.
Table 9: SECL CSR in the Coal India Ecosystem Context
| Metric | SECL (FY 2024-25) | Coal India Level (FY 2024-25) |
| Statutory CSR Obligation | Rs. 99.76 crore | Multi-subsidiary framework |
| Actual Spend | ~Rs. 180 crore (180%) | Across all subsidiaries |
| Solar Energy Commissioned | 20 MW (Bishrampur) | 114 MW (all subsidiaries) |
| Eco-parks and Tourism Sites | 2 sites (Manikpur, Bisrampur) | 32 sites across CIL |
| Healthcare – National Programme | SECL Ki Dhadkan (1,000 surgeries) | Coal India Ka Nanha Sa Dil |
| Education – National Programme | SECL Ke Sushrut (NEET coaching) | Various subsidiary initiatives |
9. CSR Governance Framework
SECL’s CSR governance is structured around three pillars: statutory compliance, DPE guidelines, and Coal India’s overarching CSR policy framework. The company’s CSR Committee of the Board oversees project approval and impact monitoring, while implementation is carried out through strategic MoUs with NGOs, government bodies, specialised institutions (hospitals, training centres, universities), and directly by the company’s area offices.
Table 10: SECL CSR Governance Structure
| Governance Element | Details |
| Governing Law | Section 135, Companies Act 2013; Companies (CSR Policy) Rules 2014 |
| DPE Guidelines | Minimum 60% on healthcare; alignment with national development priorities |
| Primary Beneficiaries | Land oustees and PAPs within 25 km radius of SECL mines/projects |
| Secondary Beneficiaries | Underprivileged communities across CG and MP beyond immediate mine zones |
| Implementation Mode | Strategic MoUs with NGOs, hospitals, educational institutions, government agencies |
| Impact Assessment | Third-party assessments mandated for projects above Rs. 1 crore (e.g., IGNTU, Amarkantak) |
| CSR Brand Tagline | ‘We reach the unreachable’ |
10. Outlook: FY 2025-26 and Beyond
SECL has announced plans to expand several flagship programmes in the near term. SECL Ke Sushrut is being extended with CLAT and JEE Main coaching tracks targeting 40 students each from BPL and project-affected families. SECL Ki Dhadkan is in Phase II and III, with 880 more surgeries targeted. Additional NEET beneficiaries who have secured government medical college seats are being considered for tuition and hostel fee support.
The company’s commitment to renewable energy, afforestation, and eco-tourism aligns with CIL’s broader decarbonisation roadmap, though coal mining as a core activity limits the scope for transformative environmental change in the medium term.
As SECL’s production targets push toward 200 MT per year over the coming decade, the communities affected by mine expansion will increasingly scrutinise the company’s CSR performance not just in rupees spent, but in rights upheld, ecosystems restored, and futures genuinely improved.
11. Conclusion
SECL Bilaspur’s CSR journey across FY 2022-23 to FY 2024-25 reflects a substantive and maturing commitment to community welfare. The company has consistently met and frequently exceeded its statutory obligations. The 239% surge in CSR expenditure from Rs. 53.07 crore in FY 2023-24 to approximately Rs. 180 crore in FY 2024-25 is the clearest indicator of this institutional resolve.
Sectoral priorities have been well-aligned with pressing community needs, with healthcare leading at over 60% of spend, followed by education, skill development, environmental programmes, and rural development. Flagship projects like SECL Ki Dhadkan and SECL Ke Sushrut have created measurable, life-changing outcomes for children and young people in some of India’s most resource-stressed regions.
Yet, the credibility and sustainability of SECL’s CSR will ultimately rest on how it navigates the tension between accelerating coal production and the long-term welfare of communities that bear its social and environmental costs. Greater transparency in impact reporting, more robust community consent mechanisms, and an increased proportion of CSR directed toward environmental restoration would strengthen SECL’s social licence for the decade ahead.
As a PSU that literally powers India’s energy grid, SECL carries both the opportunity and the obligation to demonstrate that resource extraction and genuine community development can, over time, become complementary rather than contradictory.
Sources and References
- 1. SECL Annual Report 2022-23 (37th Annual Report)
- 2. SECL Annual Report 2023-24 (38th Annual Report) – secl-cil.in
- 3. SECL Annual Report 2024-25 (39th Annual Report) – minedocs.com
- 4. Ministry of Coal, Government of India – CSR statement, March 2025
- 5. PSU Watch: ‘A new heartbeat for India’s mining heartland: Inside SECL’s record CSR year’ (July 2025)
- 6. Coal India Limited Integrated Annual Report 2024-25
- 7. Cultural Survival: ‘Fraudulent Consultations, Toxic Pollution: How SECL Coal Mines Devastate Tribal Lives in Central India’ (January 2026)
- 8. eGov / Elets Online: ‘SECL Allocates Rs. 170 Crore for Transformative Healthcare and Education Projects’ (February 2025)
- 9. Open Government Data Platform India – SECL CSR State-wise Expenditure 2024-25 (data.gov.in)
(Coyyright@IndiaCSR)
