Focus on Accelerated Mining Expansion and Critical Mineral Development
Minister Interacts with NEET Aspirants Benefitting from ‘SECL Ke Sushrut’
Also engages with “SECL Ki Dhadkan” beneficiaries at Satya Sai Hospital
On the second day of his visit to Chhattisgarh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy chaired a high-level meeting with Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. The discussions focused on the pivotal role of mining in the state’s economic growth and included key issues such as fast-tracking land acquisition for mine expansion, securing environmental clearances, and the development of rehabilitation and resettlement sites. The development of critical minerals in Chhattisgarh also featured prominently in the talks.
The meeting was attended by Shri Amitabh Jain, Chief Secretary, Chhattisgarh; Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Shri B.P. Pati, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Shri P.M. Prasad, Chairman, Coal India Limited; Shri Harish Duhan, CMD, SECL; and senior officials from the state and central governments.
Earlier in the day Shri Reddy also met students supported by SECL’s flagship CSR initiative ‘SECL Ke Sushrut’, which provides free residential coaching to aspiring doctors from coal belt regions. The students shared their inspiring journeys of cracking NEET and joining MBBS programs. The Minister praised their efforts and affirmed the government’s commitment to empowering youth through educational opportunities and support.
During his visit to the Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Hospital in Raipur, the Minister interacted with children and families benefitting from ‘SECL Ki Dhadkan’, a CSR scheme providing free treatment and surgery for congenital heart defects (CHD). Shri Reddy appreciated the life-saving impact of this initiative and reiterated that coal PSUs would continue to champion healthcare and social welfare in their operational regions.
The Hon’ble Minister also held a review meeting with senior officials of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and the Geological Survey of India (GSI). Discussions centered around exploration efforts, survey progress, and strategies to unlock the mineral potential of the region more effectively.
This visit underscores the Union Government’s commitment to driving mining-led economic growth, while also ensuring social inclusion and development through robust CSR efforts.
