SECL Korba Central Store Unit

In a remarkable stride towards women-led development in India’s industrial sector, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), inaugurated its first fully women-operated SECL Korba Central Store Unit at the Central Workshop in Korba, Chhattisgarh, on 5 October 2025.

This initiative is a reflection of the Government of India’s commitment to empowering women under the banner of “Nari Shakti se Rashtra Shakti”, and it is part of the Special Campaign 5.0, aimed at promoting inclusivity, innovation, and good governance across public sector enterprises.

About the SECL Korba Central Store Unit

The newly inaugurated SECL Korba Central Store Unit is designed to efficiently handle spare parts supply, logistics, and inventory management within SECL’s industrial operations. What makes this women-led unit unique is its entirely women-managed workforce, comprising eight officers and staff members.

All team members oversee the store’s day-to-day operations and administrative responsibilities, highlighting the increasing participation of women in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

The unit is led by Ms. Sapna Ikka, Senior Manager (E&M) and an IIT (ISM) Dhanbad alumna, symbolizing the growing representation of women engineers in India’s mining and heavy industries. This follows SECL’s earlier achievement of launching Coal India’s first all-women-operated dispensary at Bilaspur, reinforcing its commitment to workplace diversity and gender inclusivity.

Digital and Operational Features

The SECL Korba Central Store Unit integrates a modern SAP-based store management system, bringing digital efficiency to inventory management and operational oversight.

Key features include:

• Real-time inventory tracking, ensuring precise stock control

• Transparency in materials management, reducing discrepancies and delays

• Automated auditing and reporting processes, enhancing accountability and traceability

By leveraging SAP-based logistics and inventory tracking SECL Korba, the unit ensures smooth workflow across industrial operations and central store operations SECL, making it a benchmark for digital transformation in the mining sector.

Significance of the SECL Korba Central Store Unit

The creation of the SECL Korba Central Store Unit is more than symbolic. It represents a structural shift in India’s industrial culture, integrating women into technical and operational roles that have been traditionally dominated by men.

Key implications of this initiative include:

• Promoting gender equality in heavy industries like mining and logistics

• Encouraging skill-based inclusion, enabling women engineers to lead core operations

• Aligning with national priorities such as Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047

• Inspiring public sector reforms with a focus on diversity and technology-driven governance

• Strengthening CSR profiles of Coal India through inclusive workforce representation

Alignment with National Initiatives

The SECL Korba Central Store Unit aligns closely with several Government of India priorities:

1. Special Campaign 5.0 – Promotes administrative efficiency, inclusivity, and innovation

2. Nari Shakti Vandan – Recognizes and empowers women’s contributions

3. Atmanirbhar Bharat – Enhances indigenous capabilities and self-reliance

4. Mission Karmayogi – Encourages professional excellence and diversity in public sector enterprises

This initiative also strengthens the role of women engineers leading SECL central store operations, proving that skill, technology, and leadership can be seamlessly combined in industrial settings.

Key Details for SSC Aspirants

• Event: Inauguration of Coal India’s first all-women SECL Korba Central Store Unit

• Date: 5 October 2025

• Location: Central Workshop, SECL Korba, Chhattisgarh

• Organization: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), subsidiary of Coal India Limited

• Campaign: Government of India’s Special Campaign 5.0

• Head of Unit: Ms. Sapna Ikka, Senior Manager (E&M), IIT (ISM) Dhanbad alumna

• Team Composition: 8 women officers and staff

For SSC aspirants, it is crucial to note this event under current affairs related to women empowerment, industrial development, and government initiatives promoting inclusivity.

Final Thoughts

The SECL Korba Central Store Unit marks a significant milestone in women-led industrial development in India. Inaugurated on 5 October 2025 at the Central Workshop in Korba, Chhattisgarh, this unit is the first fully women-operated central store under South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited. The unit manages spare parts supply, logistics, and inventory management across SECL’s industrial operations and is led by Ms. Sapna Ikka, an IIT (ISM) Dhanbad alumna.

What makes this initiative unique is its entirely women-managed workforce, highlighting a shift towards gender equality in technical and operational roles traditionally dominated by men. The unit uses a SAP-based digital platform for real-time inventory tracking, transparency in materials management, and automated auditing, setting a benchmark for digital transformation in industrial operations.

Aligned with government initiatives like Special Campaign 5.0, Nari Shakti Vandan, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the SECL Korba Central Store Unit symbolizes women empowerment, inclusive growth, and modern operational excellence.