TFP Bureau, Korba, October 6, 2025: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has inaugurated its first fully women-operated Central Store Unit at the Central Workshop in Korba, marking a significant step in promoting women’s leadership in core industrial sectors.
The initiative, launched under the government of India’s Special Campaign 5.0, follows SECL’s earlier success with Coal India’s first all-women-operated dispensary at Bilaspur, reflecting a continued commitment to the vision of Nari Shakti se Rashtra Shakti.
The new Central Store Unit, entirely managed by a dedicated team of eight women officers and staff led by Ms. Sapna Ikka, Senior Manager (E&M) and IIT (ISM) Dhanbad alumna, will oversee spare parts supply and inventory management. The facility employs a modern SAP-based digital platform for efficient, transparent, and streamlined record keeping.
The inauguration ceremony featured a traditional lamp-lighting and formal ribbon-cutting by Shri Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of SECL. The event was attended by senior officials including Shri N. Franklin Jaykumar, Director (Technical/Operations); Shri Biranchi Das, Director (HR); Shri R.C. Mahapatra, Director (Technical/Planning & Projects); and Shri Himanshu Jain, Chief Vigilance Officer. Outstanding women employees of the workshop were felicitated for their contributions.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Harish Duhan highlighted the importance of women-led initiatives in advancing inclusive growth within Coal India. “Following the success of the women-operated dispensary at Bilaspur, we are proud to see women taking charge of a core operational unit at Korba. This initiative aligns with Union Minister of Coal Shri G. Kishan Reddy’s vision of enhanced participation and leadership of women in the coal sector,” he said.
The launch of this all-women Central Store Unit signifies another milestone in Coal India’s journey toward gender-inclusive and self-reliant industrial operations, furthering the ethos of Atmanirbhar Bharat and setting a benchmark for women-led empowerment in heavy industries.
