MINISTRY OF COAL NOTIFIES SECL KE SUSHRUT IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF COAL NOTIFIES SECL KE SUSHRUT IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA

Why in the News?

  • First Coal PSU Milestone: The Ministry of Coal has notified SECL Ke Sushrut in the Gazette of India, making it the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme of any Coal PSU to receive such recognition.
  • Digital Governance: The notification enables voluntary Aadhaar authentication for beneficiaries under the Aadhaar Act, 2016, ensuring transparent, efficient and technology-enabled benefit delivery.

SECL KE SUSHRUT

  • Flagship CSR Initiative: SECL Ke Sushrut, launched in 2023 by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), provides free residential NEET coaching to meritorious students from SECL’s mining-affected operational areas.
  • Objective: The programme aims to improve access to medical education, create opportunities for students from mining communities, and strengthen India’s future healthcare workforce.
  • Outstanding Performance: The 2023–24 batch witnessed 39 out of 40 students qualifying NEET, with admissions into MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BPTH, and Veterinary Science programmes in government institutions.
  • Continued Success: The 2024–25 batch recorded 31 NEET qualifiers, securing admissions in MBBS, BDS, BAMS, and Bachelor of Fisheries Science (B.F.Sc.) programmes.
  • Governance Innovation: The scheme is the first CSR initiative of any Coal PSU to be listed on the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) Portal, promoting transparency, accountability, and efficient service delivery.

AADHAAR-ENABLED BENEFIT DELIVERY

  • Legal Framework: The notification has been issued under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 and the Aadhaar Authentication for Good Governance (Social Welfare, Innovation and Knowledge) Rules, 2020.
  • Voluntary Authentication: Beneficiaries may voluntarily use Aadhaar authentication, while those opting out can access benefits using alternative government-approved identity documents.
  • Improved Transparency: Aadhaar-enabled authentication helps reduce duplication, leakages, and fraudulent claims, ensuring targeted delivery of welfare benefits.
  • Digital Governance: The initiative supports the Government’s vision of technology-driven public service delivery, improving efficiency, accountability, and ease of access.
  • Inclusive Approach: The provision for alternative identity documents ensures that no eligible beneficiary is denied benefits due to the absence of Aadhaar authentication.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)

●  Legal Basis: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is governed by Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013, making India one of the first countries to mandate CSR expenditure by eligible companies.

●  Eligibility Criteria: Companies with net worth of ₹500 crore or more, turnover of ₹1,000 crore or more, or net profit of ₹5 crore or more during any financial year must comply with CSR provisions.

●  CSR Expenditure: Eligible companies are required to spend at least 2% of the average net profits of the preceding three financial years on approved CSR activities listed under Schedule VII of the Companies Act.

●  Major Focus Areas: CSR activities include education, healthcare, skill development, environmental sustainability, rural development, gender equality, sanitation, livelihood promotion, and disaster management.

●  UPSC Relevance: Important for GS Paper II (Governance & Social Justice), GS Paper III (Inclusive Growth, Corporate Governance), and Prelims covering CSR provisions, DBT, Aadhaar Act, Companies Act, Coal India, and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).