A landmark step under Special Campaign 5.0 as SECL Korba launches Coal India’s first fully women-operated Central Store, promoting inclusive industrial growth.
KORBA, CHHATTISGARH (India CSR): In a pioneering step towards gender inclusivity in India’s coal sector, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) — a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) — has inaugurated the company’s first fully women-operated Central Store Unit at its Central Workshop in Korba, Chhattisgarh.
The initiative, launched under the Government of India’s Special Campaign 5.0, marks another milestone in promoting women-led development (Nari Shakti se Rashtra Shakti) within India’s industrial ecosystem. It follows SECL’s earlier achievement of setting up Coal India’s first all-women dispensary in Bilaspur, demonstrating a sustained commitment to empowering women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Women at the Helm of Industrial Operations
The newly inaugurated Central Store Unit will be responsible for the management of spare parts, equipment supplies, and inventory systems, forming an essential backbone of SECL’s workshop operations.
This facility will be entirely managed by an eight-member women team, led by Sapna Ikka, Senior Manager (E&M) and an alumna of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. The store operates through a modern SAP-based digital platform, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and efficiency in inventory management.
This initiative underscores how technology and empowerment can merge to redefine roles for women in the mining and heavy industries sector — historically perceived as male-dominated domains.
Inauguration Ceremony Highlights
The inauguration ceremony began with a traditional lamp-lighting ritual and ribbon-cutting by Shri Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, SECL. The event witnessed the presence of several key dignitaries including:
- N. Franklin Jaykumar, Director (Technical/Operations)
- Biranchi Das, Director (HR)
- R.C. Mahapatra, Director (Technical/Planning & Projects)
- Himanshu Jain, Chief Vigilance Officer, SECL
During the event, outstanding women employees of SECL’s Central Workshop were felicitated for their dedication and contributions.
Leadership Remarks: A Step Toward Inclusive Growth
Speaking on the occasion, CMD Shri Harish Duhan described the initiative as a “progressive step toward inclusive growth” and a significant stride for women’s empowerment in the coal industry.
“Following the success of the all-women-operated dispensary at Bilaspur, we are proud to witness women leading a core operational unit at Korba. This reflects Coal India’s broader mission of inclusivity and resonates with the vision of Union Minister of Coal, G. Kishan Reddy, who advocates for greater participation of women in mining and energy sectors,” he said.
The CMD emphasized that such initiatives not only break gender barriers but also encourage more women to take up leadership roles in technical and managerial fields within India’s public sector enterprises.
A Milestone for Women-Led Development
The establishment of the all-women Central Store Unit represents a new chapter in Coal India’s journey toward gender-inclusive and self-reliant operations. It symbolizes how women are increasingly shaping the future of India’s industrial landscape — from healthcare to logistics and now into the core of mining infrastructure.
By empowering women to lead crucial operational functions, SECL aligns itself with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat — a self-reliant India built on inclusivity, innovation, and equal opportunity.
Conclusion
Coal India’s first all-women Central Store at SECL Korba is more than a symbolic gesture — it is a tangible shift toward a balanced, progressive workforce. It reinforces the idea that women’s participation strengthens industrial efficiency, workplace diversity, and organizational excellence.
Under Special Campaign 5.0, this initiative stands as a model for other public sector enterprises to emulate, proving that when women lead, industries thrive and nations progress.
(India CSR)
