Bilaspur: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) held its 50th Tripartite Safety Committee Meeting at its headquarters in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, on October 8, 2026. The meeting focused on strengthening mine safety, ensuring effective compliance with safety standards, preventing accidents and promoting a stronger safety culture across mining operations.
SECL Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) Harish Duhan participated in the meeting through video conferencing. The meeting was chaired by Neeraj Kumar, Deputy Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Northern Zone, Ghaziabad.
Senior SECL management officials, representatives of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), regional officials, trade union representatives and contractors’ representatives participated in the meeting and discussed various measures to improve workplace safety and ensure safe mining operations.
SECL CMD Highlights Safety as the Top Priority
Addressing the meeting, SECL CMD Harish Duhan emphasised that safety remains the company’s highest priority. He stated that effective implementation of safety standards, the adoption of modern technologies and vigilance at every level are essential for ensuring safe mining operations.
He also stressed that collective efforts by management, employees, workers and contractors are necessary to strengthen the safety culture across the organisation.
The discussions highlighted the importance of making safety an integral part of daily mining activities rather than treating it merely as a matter of regulatory compliance.
Read also: SECL Director Nripendra Nath Reviews Mining Operations and Demolition Work at Dipka Area
Senior SECL Management and DGMS Officials Attend Meeting
Several senior officials from SECL and the Directorate General of Mines Safety participated in the 50th Tripartite Safety Committee Meeting.
Representing SECL, the key participants included:
- Biranchi Das, Director (Human Resources)
- D. Sunil Kumar, Director (Finance)
- Ramesh Chandra Mahapatra, Director (Technical – Operations)
- Nripendra Nath, Director (Technical – Planning and Projects)
Heads of various departments, Area General Managers, Area Safety Officers and representatives of contractor companies were also present.
From the DGMS, the participants included:
- B. B. Satiar, Deputy Director General of Mines Safety, Western Zone, Nagpur
- Irfan Ahmed Ansari, Director of Mines Safety, Bilaspur Region-I
- Altaf Hussain Ansari, Director of Mines Safety, Bilaspur Region-II
- A. Rambabu, Director of Mines Safety, Raigarh Region
- Kishore Kumar Dokuparti, Director of Mines Safety, Jabalpur Region
Officials from the Northern and Western Zones, including representatives from the Electrical, Mechanical and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) wings, also participated in the discussions.
Trade Union Representatives Share Suggestions on Mine Safety
Representatives of the Company Safety Committee from various trade unions attended the meeting and shared their suggestions on safety-related issues.
The participating representatives included:
- Anand Mishra (HMS)
- Sanjay Singh (BMS)
- B. Dharma Rao (AITUC)
- Kamlesh Sharma (SEKMS)
- Indradev Chauhan (CITU)
- Anup V. Rahate (CMOIA)
Their participation provided an opportunity to discuss workplace safety concerns and measures for improving safety practices across mining operations.
The meeting emphasised the importance of cooperation between management, workers, trade unions and contractors in identifying potential hazards and ensuring compliance with established safety procedures.
Key Focus Areas Include Risk Control and Accident Prevention
A PowerPoint presentation was delivered during the meeting to outline the safety-related initiatives and measures being implemented by SECL.
The discussions covered several important areas of mine safety, including:
- Compliance with safety standards: Ensuring effective implementation of prescribed safety norms across mining operations.
- Hazard identification and risk control: Identifying potential workplace risks at an early stage and taking appropriate preventive measures.
- Accident prevention: Strengthening systems and procedures to minimise workplace incidents.
- Employee training: Improving safety awareness and providing appropriate training to employees and workers.
- Modern safety technologies: Promoting the use of advanced technologies to improve mine safety.
- Digitisation: Using digital tools to strengthen safety monitoring and management.
- Safety management systems: Improving existing systems to ensure consistent implementation of safety procedures.
These discussions aimed to reinforce preventive safety measures and improve the effectiveness of safety management across SECL’s mining operations.
Area-Wise Safety Performance and Contractor Worker Safety Reviewed
Regional General Managers and Area Safety Officers presented information on safety conditions and ongoing initiatives in their respective areas.
The presentations covered the current safety status, measures being implemented and efforts to improve compliance with established safety procedures.
Special emphasis was placed on the safety of contractor workers, their training and adherence to prescribed operating procedures. Representatives of contractor companies also participated in discussions on safety arrangements and workplace practices.
The meeting highlighted that contractor workers must receive appropriate safety training and follow established procedures to help prevent accidents and maintain safe working conditions.
SECL Reinforces Commitment to Safe Mining and Zero Accidents
The meeting underlined that an effective safety culture cannot be achieved through rule compliance alone. It requires the active participation of every employee, mine worker, contractor worker and other individuals associated with the workplace.
Participants emphasised the importance of identifying potential risks in a timely manner, strengthening training programmes and making effective use of modern safety technologies.
The discussions brought together DGMS officials, SECL management, Company Safety Committee representatives, regional officials and contractor representatives to review safety challenges and identify opportunities for improvement.
The participants collectively reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening safe mining operations and working towards the goal of zero accidents across SECL’s operational areas.
About South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL)
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) and a major coal-producing public sector enterprise operating in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The company plays an important role in meeting India’s coal requirements, particularly for the power sector. Strengthening mine safety, improving operational efficiency and promoting safe working practices remain important aspects of its mining operations.
Read also: SECL Signs Escrow Agreements for 72 Mines to Strengthen Mine Closure and Rehabilitation
