‘SECL Ke Sushrut’ Becomes First Coal PSU CSR Project on Govt’s DBT Portal

‘SECL Ke Sushrut’ has become the first CSR project of any coal PSU to be listed on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) portal of the Government of India. This is a CSR programme of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) which is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL).

“With its inclusion in the DBT portal, ‘SECL Ke Sushrut’ is set to ensure greater efficiency, transparency, and accessibility, allowing eligible students to avail themselves of coaching support with ease. This development aligns with SECL’s ongoing efforts to enhance its social impact while reinforcing its commitment to the educational aspirations of youth in and around its operational areas,” reads an announcement by the Ministry of Coal.

What is Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) portal

The DBT initiative, launched by the Government of India, aims to reform the delivery of benefits and subsidies by directly transferring funds to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, minimizing leakages, and ensuring effective utilization of resources. At present, the DBT portal features approximately 325 schemes from 55 ministries, covering diverse sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and social welfare.

What is SECL Ke Sushrut

Started in 2023, ‘SECL Ke Sushrut’ is a flagship educational initiative under SECL’s CSR programmes, designed to provide free medical coaching to 40 students preparing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The scheme aims to support meritorious and underprivileged students from the coal belt regions of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, equipping them with the necessary resources and guidance to pursue careers in the medical field.

In the first batch of the programme, 39 out of 40 students successfully qualified for NEET 2024. Among them, 11 students secured admission in MBBS course, 2 gained admission in BDS, 2 were admitted to BAMS, 2 got admission in BPTH and 2 were selected for Veterinary courses in Government Colleges across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL)

SECL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited. It is one of the largest government-owned coal producers in the world. SECL is one of the highest coal producing companies of India. The coal mines of SECL are spread across the central Indian states of Chhatisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, hence the company’s CSR activities focus on the underprivileged people residing in these states.

SECL operates 67 coal mines, of which 41 coal mines lies in Chhatisgarh, while the rest are situated in Madhya Pradesh. Among these 67 coal mines, 46 mines are worked by underground method of mining while the rest are opencast mines. For effective administrative control and operation, the coal mines at SECL have been divided into three groups viz Central India coalfields (CIC), Korba coalfields and Mand Raigarh Coalfields.

SECL’s CSR Spending in FY 2023-24

Chhattisgarh-based Coal India subsidiary SECL has spent more than Rs 300 crores via CSR on various sectors in the state of Chhattisgarh between 2018-19 and 2023-24. The company has undertaken CSR initiatives in a wide range of areas to create greater impact in the lives of people. In the past 5 years, the company has utilised its CSR funds mostly focusing on environmental sustainability, education, healthcare, rural development projects, sanitation and providing support to flagship government programs like Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan, Swachh Bharat Mission and Clean Ganga Mission among others.