Raipur: Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy concluded a two-day visit to South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), aimed at boosting coal production, fostering sustainable mining, and promoting inclusive development in Chhattisgarh.
SECL is the largest coal producing company of India. It is a “Miniratna” Company, and one of eight fully owned subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. The company has its headquarter at Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India and 92 mines spread over Chhattisgarh & Madhya Pradesh; 70 underground, 21 opencast, and 1 mixed.
On the second day, Minister Reddy held a high-level meeting with Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, focusing on key issues such as expedited land acquisition, faster environmental clearances, and the development of integrated rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) sites. The strategic role of critical mineral development in the state also took center stage.
Senior officials present included Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, Additional Secretary Rupinder Brar, Joint Secretary BP Pati, Coal India Chairman PM Prasad, SECL CMD Harish Duhan, and other key figures from both state and central governments.
Held a meeting alongside Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri. @vishnudsai ji and senior officials of @CoalMinistry, @CoalIndiaHQ, @secl_cil, @GeologyIndia, and the State Govt at Raipur today.
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) April 11, 2025
Our discussions focused on boosting coal production and strengthening our… pic.twitter.com/bKZQMhS1xs
As part of his visit, the Minister interacted with NEET aspirants enrolled in ‘SECL Ke Sushrut’, a CSR initiative offering free residential coaching to students from coal belt regions aspiring to become doctors. He praised their hard work and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to educational empowerment in mining areas.
Reddy also visited Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital, where he met young beneficiaries of ‘SECL Ki Dhadkan’, a healthcare CSR program providing free treatment for congenital heart defects (CHD). Commending SECL for its impactful interventions, he emphasized that coal PSUs would continue to invest in health and welfare initiatives.
In a separate review meeting with the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and Geological Survey of India (GSI), the Minister evaluated ongoing exploration efforts and strategies for unlocking Chhattisgarh’s vast mineral potential.
The visit underlines the government’s mission to align coal sector growth with national goals of sustainability, social equity, and regional prosperity, transforming mineral-rich areas into hubs of opportunity and resilience.
