On October 5, 2023, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), inaugurated its first all-women-operated Central Store Unit at its Central Workshop, Korba. This initiative, launched under the Government of India's Special Campaign 5.0, is a progression from SECL's all-women-operated dispensary at Bilaspur and reflects the organization's commitment to Nari Shakti se Rashtra Shakti.
The Central Store Unit, led by Ms. Sapna Ikka, Senior Manager (E&M) and alumna of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, will oversee spare parts supply and inventory management. The facility utilizes an SAP-based digital platform.
The inauguration ceremony included lamp-lighting and a ribbon-cutting by Shri Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, SECL, graced by 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, SECL. Union Minister of Coal, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, emphasizes enhanced participation and leadership of women in the coal sector.
Key Entities Referenced
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL): Subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) that inaugurated the all-women operated Central Store Unit.
Ministry of Coal: The central ministry overseeing Coal India and its subsidiaries.
Government's Special Campaign 5.0: A government initiative under which the all-women operated Central Store Unit was launched.
Coal India Limited (CIL): Parent organization of SECL, highlighting the wider company scope.
Korba: Location of the inaugurated Central Store Unit.
Ministry of Coal
Coal India’s First All-Women Operated Central Store
Unit Inaugurated at SECL Korba
Another Milestone in Women-Led Development
under Government’s Special Campaign 5.0
Posted On: 05 OCT 2025 5:37PM by PIB Delhi
In a major step towards promoting women’s leadership in core industrial sectors, South Eastern Coalfields
Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), today inaugurated the company’s first fully
women-operated Central Store Unit at its Central Workshop, Korba.
The initiative, launched under the Government of India’s Special Campaign 5.0, follows SECL’s earlier
achievement of establishing Coal India’s first all-women-operated dispensary at Bilaspur, and reflects the
organization’s sustained commitment to Nari Shakti se Rashtra Shakti.
The new Central Store Unit will oversee spare parts supply and inventory management, entirely managed by a
dedicated team of eight women officers and staff led by Ms. Sapna Ikka, Senior Manager (E&M) and alumna
of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. The facility leverages a modern SAP-based digital platform for efficient and
transparent record management.The inauguration ceremony commenced with the traditional lamp-lighting, followed by the formal ribbon-
cutting by Shri Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, SECL. The event was graced by 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, SECL.
Outstanding women employees of the workshop were felicitated on the occasion.
Speaking at the event, CMD Shri Harish Duhan said that the initiative marks a progressive step towards
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. Such initiatives resonate with the
vision of Union Minister of Coal, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, who emphasizes enhanced participation and
leadership of women in the coal sector,” he added.The establishment of this all-women Central Store Unit represents another milestone in Coal India’s journey
towards gender-inclusive and self-reliant industrial operations, embodying the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
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Shuhaib T / Durgesh Kumar
(Release ID: 2175073)