New Delhi: Coal India Limited (CIL) has inaugurated its first all-women-operated dispensary at Vasant Vihar, Bilaspur under South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). The facility, launched on 14 July 2025, is staffed entirely by women and provides comprehensive healthcare services.
Expanding Women’s Role Across the Coal Sector
CIL and its subsidiaries have introduced a series of women-led initiatives aimed at strengthening gender equity, creating leadership opportunities, and encouraging greater participation of women in coal operations.
Functional all-women initiatives include:
- Vasant Vihar Dispensary, Bilaspur (SECL)
- Rajendra Nagar Dispensary, Ranchi (CCL)
- Koyla Nagar Hospital – Morning Shift, Dhanbad (BCCL)
- Sadbhavana Colony Dispensary, Nagpur (WCL)
- Condition-Based Monitoring Laboratory, Gevra (SECL)
- Centralised Technical Centre for LED & Solar Equipment, Dhanbad
- Cost & Budget Cell, NCL HQ, Singrauli (NCL)
Leadership Development for Women Executives
CIL’s apex training institute, the Indian Institute of Coal Management (IICM), has launched “Jyoti – Rising Together, Leading the Way”, a five-month flagship leadership programme. It is designed to prepare women executives for higher responsibilities through modules on communication, decision-making, negotiation skills, and emotional intelligence. The programme also offers mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to best practices.
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Progressive Policy Reforms
Several reforms have been introduced to strengthen inclusivity:
- Female dependents are now eligible for employment irrespective of marital status.
- Every organizational committee must include at least one woman representative.
- Women employees are sent for underground training to acquire the Mining Sirdar Certificate of Competency.
- Women are trained for rescue and recovery work; so far, 19 from Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) and 9 from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) have completed this training.
- Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) are functional across subsidiaries under the POSH Act to ensure workplace safety.
Breaking Barriers in Core Mining Operations
Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) has set up its first all-women technical centre for repair and maintenance of LED and solar equipment at Dhanbad. This marks a significant step in integrating women into technical domains traditionally dominated by men.
Meanwhile, NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has inducted women into mining operations for the first time in its history. Currently, 190 women, including 48 executives, are employed in core mining roles. They are serving as surveyors, mining sirdars, and overmen across nine statutory posts.
Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha that these initiatives mark a significant shift towards gender inclusivity in the coal sector.
About Coal PSUs
Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Ltd (NLCIL), and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) are the leading PSUs driving India’s coal production and supply. Together, they play a critical role in ensuring energy security, while advancing modernization and sustainability initiatives through FMC projects.
