Bilaspur, August 12, 2026: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has taken a significant step towards strengthening transparency, accountability and fairness in matters related to employment in lieu of land by constituting a High-Level Standing Review Committee to examine complaints and allegations concerning such appointments.
The new review mechanism is aimed at ensuring that complaints are examined in a fair, impartial and time-bound manner, based on official records, relevant documents and available evidence. The Committee will scrutinise individual cases and submit its recommendations to the competent authority for further action.
High-Level Committee Constituted at SECL Headquarters
The High-Level Standing Review Committee will be headed by the General Manager (Land & Revenue), SECL Headquarters, Bilaspur.
The Committee will include senior officials from different departments of SECL, namely:
- General Manager (Planning & Projects)
- General Manager (Human Resources/Manpower)
- General Manager (Human Resources/Industrial Relations)
- Deputy General Manager (Legal)
The constitution of the Committee brings together officials from land, project, human resources, industrial relations and legal departments, enabling a comprehensive examination of complaints.
Complaints to Be Examined on Records and Evidence
According to SECL, every complaint will be examined on the basis of available records, documents and evidence. Where necessary, the Committee may seek additional information from concerned officials and verify facts connected with the complaint.
The review process will be conducted in accordance with applicable rules and prescribed procedures. The objective is to ensure that complaints are disposed of through a reasoned, transparent and fair process rather than on the basis of unverified allegations.
What Kind of Complaints Can Be Submitted?
SECL has stated that any person may submit a complaint regarding alleged irregularities connected with employment in lieu of land. Complaints may relate to matters including:
- Irregularities in employment in lieu of land
- Use of forged or fabricated documents
- Concealment of material facts for obtaining employment
- Other matters connected with alleged irregularities in the employment process.
Complainants have been advised to attach relevant documents and supporting evidence wherever available so that the allegations can be properly examined.
No Provision for Withdrawal of Registered Complaints
An important clarification issued by SECL is that there is no provision for withdrawal of a duly registered complaint.
Therefore, the company has urged individuals to submit complaints only after carefully verifying the facts and ensuring that the information provided is authentic and supported by available evidence.
This provision is intended to discourage complaints that are filed casually and subsequently sought to be withdrawn.
Warning Against False and Malicious Complaints
SECL has also issued a strong caution against the submission of knowingly false, malicious or misleading complaints.
If, during the examination of a case, a complaint is found to have been deliberately based on false or misleading facts, or appears to have been submitted with the intention of tarnishing an individual’s reputation or causing unnecessary harassment, the company may initiate necessary legal action against the complainant under applicable rules and legal provisions.
The clarification underlines the importance of maintaining a balance between the right to raise genuine grievances and the need to prevent misuse of the complaint mechanism.
Appeal to Stakeholders and Public
SECL has appealed to all concerned stakeholders and members of the public to submit complaints only through authorised channels.
The company has also advised people to remain cautious of intermediaries, unverified information and misleading claims. Stakeholders have been encouraged to rely on official procedures and provide factual information rather than acting on rumours or unsubstantiated allegations.
Focus on Genuine Beneficiaries
The new review mechanism is expected to play an important role in protecting the interests of genuine and eligible beneficiaries of employment in lieu of land.
SECL has emphasised that the objective is not only to investigate allegations of irregularities but also to ensure that eligible persons do not lose their legitimate rights because of procedural lapses, fraudulent claims or other irregularities.
SECL Reaffirms Commitment to Good Governance
With the constitution of the High-Level Standing Review Committee, SECL has reiterated its commitment to good governance, transparency, accountability and institutional fairness.
The company expects the mechanism to make the examination of complaints related to employment in lieu of land more transparent, impartial and credible. At the same time, the system is intended to strengthen public confidence in SECL’s grievance-redressal process and reinforce institutional accountability.
The initiative is therefore being viewed as an important administrative step towards ensuring that complaints concerning employment in lieu of land are handled through a structured, evidence-based and accountable mechanism while safeguarding the legitimate interests of eligible beneficiaries.
Issued by:
Public Relations Officer
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Bilaspur
