Eastern Coalfields Limited Hosts 54th Coal India Limited Welfare Board Meeting

Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) hosted the 54th Coal India Limited (CIL) Welfare Board Meeting at Durgapur, reaffirming its strong commitment to employee welfare, inclusive growth, and a holistic approach to workforce development across the coal sector.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Vinay Ranjan, Director (HR), Coal India Limited, and attended by senior HR Directors from various subsidiaries — Keshav Rao (MCL), Harsh Nath Mishra (CCL), Manish Kumar (NCL), Murli Krishna Ramaiah (BCCL), Biranchi Das (SECL), Gunjan Kumar Sinha (ECL), Hemant Sharad Pande (WCL), and Shankar Nagachari (CMPDIL).

Gowthan Potru, IAS (SCCL) was represented by Kesa Narayan Rao, DGM (P/W&CSR), SCCL.

Union representatives — Tikeshwar Singh Rathore (BMS), Shankar Pd. Behera (HMS), Ashok Yadav (AITUC), and Ranjeet Mukharjee (CITU) — also participated, highlighting the collaborative spirit of welfare initiatives across Coal India.

Focus on Employee Welfare and Community Development

The forum served as a strategic platform to review ongoing welfare initiatives, assess project outcomes, and chart the roadmap for future welfare programmes.

Key areas of discussion included:

• Housing and township development

• Healthcare infrastructure

• Educational facilities

• Sports promotion and cultural engagement

• Social security enhancement

The Board emphasized strengthening healthcare and education support, expanding welfare coverage, and fostering vibrant community ecosystems through sports and cultural initiatives — ensuring holistic development for employees and their families.

Visit to Sindoor Park: A Model of Ecological Restoration

Later in the day, the CIL Welfare Board members visited Sindoor Park at the Jhanjra Area of ECL, a shining example of sustainable and ecological restoration.

Spanning 13.02 hectares, the park features Japanese gardens, water bodies, walkways, and play zones, symbolizing ECL’s commitment to responsible mining and environmental stewardship.

The delegation observed how ECL’s “mine-to-green” transformation embodies harmony between sustainability and development, reflecting Coal India’s broader vision of environmentally responsible growth.

‘Chai Pe Charcha’ with Women Employees: Fostering Inclusivity

The visit concluded with a special “Chai Pe Charcha” session between female employees of Jhanjra Area, ECL, and CIL Welfare Board Members.

The interaction provided an open platform for dialogue, sharing experiences, and discussing initiatives promoting women empowerment, workplace inclusivity, and employee engagement.

Set against the serene backdrop of Sindoor Park, the session underscored ECL’s dedication to empowering women, improving workplace well-being, and nurturing a progressive organizational culture.

Leadership Message

In his address, Dr. Vinay Ranjan, Director (HR), Coal India Limited, emphasized the need for continuous innovation in welfare planning to meet the evolving needs of the workforce.

He reiterated:

“Employee welfare lies at the heart of Coal India’s growth philosophy. By engaging meaningfully and listening to every voice within our workforce, we ensure growth, equality, and a thriving organizational culture.”