Coal India's First Fully Women-Operated Dispensary Inaugurated at SECL

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Coal India's First Fully Women-Operated Dispensary Inaugurated at SECL

Analysis

1. Context:
   • In a landmark initiative promoting women’s leadership and empowerment, Coal India Limited (CIL) inaugurated its first fully women-operated dispensary at South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) Headquarters, Vasant Vihar, Bilaspur.
2. Key Highlights:
   • The dispensary will be entirely managed by a 14-member women team including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and support staff.
   • The facility offers OPD services, emergency care, dressing and injection room, ECG facilities, pathology sample collection, and OPD pharmacy services.
   • The initiative was inaugurated by Shri Harish Duhan, CMD, SECL, in the presence of senior SECL officials.
   • The project reflects the vision of the Minister of Coal, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, to enhance women’s participation and leadership within the coal sector.
3. Significance:
   • Marks a progressive shift towards gender inclusion in the male-dominated mining and coal industry.
   • Demonstrates institutional support for creating women-led management ecosystems in public sector enterprises.
   • Expected to enhance the quality, sensitivity, and accessibility of healthcare services provided by Coal India’s establishments.
4. Broader Implications:
   • Aligns with Government of India’s initiatives on women empowerment under Mission Shakti and Gender Budgeting Framework.
   • Could become a model initiative replicable across other PSUs and industrial establishments in India.

Static / Background Information

• Coal India Limited (CIL):
  • HQ: Kolkata, West Bengal
  • Status: Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Coal
  • Subsidiaries: Includes SECL, NCL, WCL, MCL, CCL, ECL, BCCL, CMPDIL
  • SECL (South Eastern Coalfields Limited): One of the largest coal-producing subsidiaries, headquartered at Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
• Mission Shakti:
  • A Government of India umbrella scheme for the safety, security, and empowerment of women, integrating various sub-schemes including Sambal (safety & security) and Samarthya (empowerment).

Updated - 14 July 2025 ; 4:13 PM | PIB

News Source:Press Information Bureau (PIB)