Bilaspur । In a major initiative aimed at strengthening healthcare services and creating employment opportunities for youth in coalfield regions, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has partnered with the Sri Sathya Sai Health & Education Trust to establish a Healthcare Skill Development Centre in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
An MoU for the project was signed on January 7, 2026. The state-of-the-art training institute will be developed at a cost of ₹35.04 crore under SECL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme. The centre will provide free, employment-oriented healthcare training to socio-economically disadvantaged youth, particularly from SECL’s operational districts.
The institute will offer skill-based courses in nursing assistance, medical technology, and other allied healthcare disciplines. The objective is to enhance employability among local youth while also strengthening healthcare delivery systems in rural and coal-affected areas.
The proposed campus will feature modern academic facilities, hostels, staff quarters, and other essential infrastructure. As per the agreement, candidates from SECL’s coalfield districts will be given priority, with at least 20 percent of the annual intake reserved for aspirants from these regions for the next 25 years. This quota may be increased based on performance and outcomes.
The MoU was signed in the presence of SECL Director (Human Resources) Biranchi Das. The agreement was executed by C.M. Verma, General Manager (CSR), SECL, and Vivek Narayan Gaur, Trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Health & Education Trust.
SECL and the Sri Sathya Sai Trust are already collaborating under the “SECL Ki Dhadkan” initiative, which provides free surgical treatment to children suffering from congenital heart diseases. Under this programme, more than 180 life-saving surgeries have been successfully conducted, benefitting families in coalfield areas.
Over the years, SECL has spent more than ₹850 crore on CSR initiatives across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, covering sectors such as healthcare, education, skill development, infrastructure, and community welfare. The new healthcare training centre further reflects SECL’s commitment to inclusive growth, human capital development, and sustainable social progress in the region.