SECL plants 1.46 Lakh saplings, invites applications for NEET 2025 coaching under CSR

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), the Chhattisgarh-based subsidiary of mining major Coal India Limited, has planted a staggering 1,46,675 saplings across its operational areas in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. Plantation drive was conducted in 8 districts of Chhattisgarh and 3 districts in Madhya Pradesh, covering an area of over 56 hectares. Additionally, the company distributed 25,000 saplings to communities residing near its mining areas.

This initiative was part of a nationwide plantation drive, launched in July 2024 by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, encompassing all coal PSUs across the country. The initiative also aligns with the centre’s ongoing “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign (One tree in the name of mother).

Meanwhile SECL on Monday announced on social media that they are inviting applications for free residential coaching of SECL’s Sushrut 2024 to prepare for NEET 2025.

SECL to invest Rs 169 crore for tree plantation

SECL had announced in July last year that it will invest Rs 169 crore for tree plantation in the states of in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh where it operates. The company aims to plant over 26 lakh saplings in Chhattisgarh and 12 lakh in Madhya Pradesh between 2023-24 and 2027-28. The plantation will be carried out for a period of five years with its subsequent maintenance of 4 years for each consecutive year of plantation.

For execution of the project, Memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between SECL and Chhattisgarh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam (CGRVVN) and between SECL and Madhya Pradesh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam (MPRVVN). As per the MoU, SECL will spend Rs. 131.52 crore in Chhattisgarh and Rs. 38.11 crore in Madhya Pradesh for enhancing greenery in the central Indian states.

As part of its ongoing afforestation efforts, SECL has also adopted the Japanese Miyawaki technique, which promotes rapid green cover development. A pilot project has already been launched using this method over two hectares near the Gevra coal mine area. Since its inception, SECL has planted over 3 crore saplings across its operational coal belts.

SECL invites applications for NEET coaching

SECL on Monday announced on social media that they are inviting applications for free residential coaching of SECL’s Sushrut 2024 to prepare for National Entrance cum Eligibility Test (NEET) 2025. SECL provides free residential medical coaching to students of Class 12th under its CSR initiative, SECL’s Sushrut. The company mentors and provide coaching to students to help them prepare for the exam. The move is aimed to benefit students from poor economic background, especially in villages in coal belt areas of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

Under the programme coaching will is provided to students in partnership with a Bilaspur-based private coaching institute. The program is residential with regular national-level test series and also includes lodging and boarding facilities.

Eligibility

Students must clear the cutoff of the test to be conducted for entrance.

Student must obtain minimum 60 % marks in the 12th Board examination (CBSE/CG Board/MP Board/ICSE) and eligible for appearing in NEET as per the eligibility criteria of NEET-2025.

Student must be domicile of Chhattisgarh or Madhya Pradesh.

Student should be a resident of Project Affected Villages & Nearby Villages (Other than SECL employees) located within 25 KM radius of SECL Establishment or the students should have appeared or passed 12th Class exam from the School, which is located within 25 KM radius of SECL Establishment in the Operating Districts of Korba, Raigarh, Koriya, Surguja, Surajpur, Balrampur & Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur Districts of Chhattisgarh & Umaria, Annuppur & Shahdol Districts of Madhya Pradesh.

The Gross Income of the Parents/Guardians should not be more than ₹ 8,00,000/- (Rupees Eight lakhs per Annum).

The wards & dependent of SECL Employees are not eligible under this scheme.

For more details visit SECL.