New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal has launched the Comprehensive CSR Framework for Indian Coal Companies, the first sector-specific Corporate Social Responsibility framework introduced since the statutory CSR provisions under the Companies Act, 2013.
The framework was launched alongside the celebration of major milestones under Coal India Limited’s (CIL) flagship healthcare initiatives — Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana (TBSY) and Nanha Sa Dil.
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey and Coal Ministry Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt attended the event in New Delhi.
Over 1,050 Bone Marrow Transplants Under TBSY
The Thalassemia Bal Sewa Yojana was launched to support children affected by thalassemia and aplastic anaemia, providing financial assistance for bone marrow transplants.
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The initiative has expanded from an initial network of four hospitals to 21 empanelled hospitals across India.
Key figures under the scheme include:
- 1,050+ bone marrow transplants completed so far.
- Up to ₹10 lakh per patient provided directly to empanelled hospitals for BMT.
- Total outlay of ₹130 crore across four phases.
- Implemented in coordination with Thalassemics India.
- Monitoring guidance provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Ministry said the overwhelming majority of children who have undergone treatment are now leading normal and healthy lives.
Nanha Sa Dil Crosses 1,500 Surgeries
CIL’s Nanha Sa Dil initiative focuses on children suffering from Congenital Heart Defects (CHD).
The programme began in March 2024 in four districts of Jharkhand and has subsequently been expanded through CIL subsidiaries SECL, CCL, NCL and WCL.
The initiative has so far:
- Screened more than 2 lakh children using modern diagnostic tools.
- Completed over 1,500 corrective cardiac surgeries.
- Provided treatment completely free of cost to beneficiary families.
- Covered expenses including travel and hospitalisation.
The initiative is being implemented by CIL in partnership with the Sri Sathya Sai Health and Education Trust.
New Framework to Make Coal Sector CSR Outcome-Oriented
The newly launched CSR framework has been prepared by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA).
It is intended to provide a common direction for CSR initiatives undertaken by coal companies, particularly those operating in and around mining areas.
The framework focuses on:
- Outcome-oriented CSR interventions
- Addressing the needs of communities in coal-mining regions
- Greater transparency and accountability
- Better planning and monitoring of CSR projects
- Measuring tangible social outcomes
- Scaling up initiatives that deliver measurable community benefits
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal Rupinder Brar said CSR interventions should be rooted in local needs and measured through tangible outcomes.
Focus on Healthcare, Education and Community Development
Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy highlighted Coal India’s CSR work over the past decade across healthcare, education, livelihoods and community development.
He specifically highlighted TBSY, Nanha Sa Dil and SECL’s Sushrut initiative, while stressing the importance of coordinated efforts involving governments, implementing agencies and parents’ associations to support children affected by thalassemia and congenital heart disease.
Reddy also assured support for the educational needs of beneficiary children to help them build better futures.
Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey emphasised the need to ensure that every child has access to appropriate treatment and essential healthcare facilities.
Medical Community Hails TBSY
Dr Shantanu Sen, Head of the Transplant Unit at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, highlighted the burden of thalassemia and the high cost of bone marrow transplantation.
He noted that bone marrow transplant is currently the only curative treatment for thalassemia and said the cost of the procedure remains a major challenge for families.
He credited Coal India’s TBSY with helping make the expensive treatment accessible to children who would otherwise face significant financial barriers.
CSR Framework to Guide Future Coal Sector Initiatives
Coal Ministry Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt highlighted the role of doctors, empanelled hospitals and partner organisations in delivering the healthcare initiatives.
He identified quality-assured care, real-time case tracking, transparency, accountability and scalability as key strengths of the programmes.
The event also featured the release of a book on TBSY, screening of short films on CIL’s healthcare CSR initiatives and felicitation of doctors and other stakeholders.
The Ministry said the initiatives demonstrate how CSR interventions can move beyond expenditure-based models towards measurable outcomes and direct community impact, particularly for vulnerable families in coal-mining regions.
