Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh | July 29, 2026: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) successfully convened its 62nd Company-Level Bipartite Safety Committee Meeting at the Vasant Club in the company headquarters at Bilaspur on Wednesday. The meeting brought together senior management, general managers, department heads, workers’ representatives, and members of various labor unions to strengthen the organization’s commitment to building a safe work culture under the guiding principle of “Safety First, Prosperity Through Safety.”
The participants collectively reaffirmed their dedication to achieving the organization’s ambitious goal of “Zero Accidents” by fostering greater awareness, discipline, accountability, and cooperation at every level of mining operations. The Bipartite Safety Committee serves as SECL’s highest platform for dialogue between management and workers’ representatives on all matters related to occupational safety.
The meeting was chaired by Director (Technical/Operations) N. Franklin Jayakumar and was attended by Director (Technical/Planning & Projects) Ramesh Chandra Mahapatra, General Managers from all operational areas, Heads of Departments, members of the Bipartite Safety Committee, and representatives from various trade unions. The program commenced with a welcome address delivered by General Manager (Safety & Rescue) Prakash Rai.
During the meeting, N. Franklin Jayakumar administered the Safety Pledge to all participants and emphasized that a truly safe workplace cannot be achieved solely through compliance with rules and regulations. He stated that a strong safety culture is built through the awareness, discipline, and personal responsibility of every employee. He urged all stakeholders to make safety their highest priority and work collectively toward realizing SECL’s vision of Zero Accidents.
In his address, Director (Technical/Planning & Projects) Ramesh Chandra Mahapatra highlighted the importance of modern technologies, continuous training, and the active participation of all stakeholders in ensuring a safe, efficient, and productive working environment. He stressed the need for the effective implementation of safety standards and called for continuous improvements in safety practices across all mining operations.
A comprehensive review of the company’s safety performance, existing safety mechanisms, and future action plans was carried out during the meeting. Representatives from different labor organizations presented valuable suggestions aimed at enhancing workplace safety. Following detailed discussions, participants reached a consensus on adopting additional measures to reduce workplace risks, strengthen coordination, and improve safety awareness across SECL’s operational units.
The meeting also marked two significant occasions. Members extended their heartfelt congratulations to N. Franklin Jayakumar on his appointment as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), recognizing his outstanding leadership and contribution to the mining sector.
In addition, the committee conveyed its best wishes to Kamlesh Sharma, a member of the Bipartite Safety Committee and representative of SCKMC, on the occasion of his retirement. Participants acknowledged his long, dedicated, and committed service to the organization and expressed appreciation for his valuable contributions toward strengthening industrial safety and labor-management cooperation.
The successful conduct of the 62nd Company-Level Bipartite Safety Committee Meeting reflects SECL’s unwavering commitment to promoting occupational safety, employee welfare, and a culture of continuous improvement. By reinforcing collaboration between management and employees, the company continues to advance its mission of creating a safer, more responsible, and more productive mining environment while ensuring sustainable growth and operational excellence.
