SECL Hosts First Sneh Milan Mela to Boost Community Ties
ECONOMY & POLICY

SECL Hosts First Sneh Milan Mela to Boost Community Ties

In a novel initiative to foster goodwill and deeper engagement with local communities, South Eastern Coalfields (SECL) recently organized its first-ever ‘Sneh Milan Mela’ in Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh under its Bhatgaon Area.

The event, which brought together SECL employees, their families, and nearby villagers, is part of SECL’s broader approach to build trust and cooperation essential for smooth land acquisition to facilitate the expansion of mining operations.

The vibrant gathering featured cultural performances, including songs, dances, and a highlight puppet act with the social message of drug de-addiction. Women employees and local participants set up food stalls offering traditional cuisines, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Over 600 attendees including SECL employees, and members of nearby communities joined the celebration, which emphasized unity and shared progress.

The Mela aligns with the vision of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy who during his recent visit to SECL reached out to people on ground zero, had lunch with coal miners and underscored the importance of grassroots engagement and worker welfare. The appointment letters were presented at a formal event graced by Lakshmi Rajwade, Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Chhattisgarh. She praised SECL’s initiatives to empower affected families and called on youth to contribute to the region’s growth.

SECL is actively working to expand its operations, particularly in its three flagship mega projects Gevra, Dipka, and Kusmunda which together contribute over 70 per cent of the company’s coal production. Facilitating community cooperation is key to these expansions.

In FY 2024–25 alone, SECL provided employment to 807 people in lieu of land acquisition, the highest such figure in the company’s history underscoring its commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth.

SECL CMD Harish Duhan said, “At SECL, our mission goes beyond mining. We are deeply committed to improving the lives of people in our operational areas through sustained employment and community engagement. Events like Sneh Milan Mela reflect our holistic approach to development where building trust with communities is as vital as operational efficiency in driving long-term progress.”

In a novel initiative to foster goodwill and deeper engagement with local communities, South Eastern Coalfields (SECL) recently organized its first-ever ‘Sneh Milan Mela’ in Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh under its Bhatgaon Area. The event, which brought together SECL employees, their families, and nearby villagers, is part of SECL’s broader approach to build trust and cooperation essential for smooth land acquisition to facilitate the expansion of mining operations. The vibrant gathering featured cultural performances, including songs, dances, and a highlight puppet act with the social message of drug de-addiction. Women employees and local participants set up food stalls offering traditional cuisines, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Over 600 attendees including SECL employees, and members of nearby communities joined the celebration, which emphasized unity and shared progress. The Mela aligns with the vision of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy who during his recent visit to SECL reached out to people on ground zero, had lunch with coal miners and underscored the importance of grassroots engagement and worker welfare. The appointment letters were presented at a formal event graced by Lakshmi Rajwade, Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Chhattisgarh. She praised SECL’s initiatives to empower affected families and called on youth to contribute to the region’s growth. SECL is actively working to expand its operations, particularly in its three flagship mega projects Gevra, Dipka, and Kusmunda which together contribute over 70 per cent of the company’s coal production. Facilitating community cooperation is key to these expansions. In FY 2024–25 alone, SECL provided employment to 807 people in lieu of land acquisition, the highest such figure in the company’s history underscoring its commitment to inclusive, sustainable growth. SECL CMD Harish Duhan said, “At SECL, our mission goes beyond mining. We are deeply committed to improving the lives of people in our operational areas through sustained employment and community engagement. Events like Sneh Milan Mela reflect our holistic approach to development where building trust with communities is as vital as operational efficiency in driving long-term progress.”

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Next Story
Building Material

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?