With a financial commitment of approximately ?35.99 lakh, Project SAKSHAM aims to empower 50 unemployed and underemployed youth, particularly from Project Affected Villages (PAVs) and neighbouring communities of Kokrajhar district. The initiative will provide specialised training in Polymer Science and Processing, equipping participants with industry-relevant technical knowledge and practical skills to improve their employability and livelihood prospects.

The selected youth will undergo structured training at CIPET Guwahati, covering polymer materials, processing technologies, quality control, industrial safety and related applications. The programme will combine classroom instruction with hands-on practical training, industry exposure, career guidance and placement assistance. During the ceremony, the dignitaries interacted with the trainees, learnt about their aspirations and encouraged them to pursue the programme with dedication, discipline and a commitment to continuous learning.

Aligned with the Government of India’s Skill India Mission and the Sustainable Development Goals relating to quality education, decent work and economic growth, and reduced inequalities, Project SAKSHAM reflects NTPC Bongaigaon’s commitment to youth empowerment, inclusive development and sustainable livelihood creation. By connecting local talent with specialised technical training, the initiative seeks to open new avenues for employment and entrepreneurship while contributing to the socioeconomic development of Kokrajhar and the wider Bodoland Territorial Region.

Nationwide Participation Reinforces Ethical Values

The observance witnessed enthusiastic participation from POWERGRID employees across its Corporate Centre, regional headquarters, substations, offices and project locations throughout the country. Employees collectively took the Integrity Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties. Aligned with this year’s theme, “Probity for Prosperity” (?????????? ?? ???????), the initiative underscores the role of integrity in strengthening public trust, promoting good governance and achieving sustainable prosperity. Various awareness programmes and employee engagement activities are being organised during the week to further strengthen a culture of honesty and fairness.

Commitment to Transparency and National Progress

Marking the commencement of the week, POWERGRID also organised the symbolic release of sky balloons at its establishments across the country. As a key contributor to India’s power transmission infrastructure, the Corporation remains committed to embedding integrity, transparency and accountability across all areas of its operations. Through such initiatives, POWERGRID seeks to reinforce ethical practices and responsible decision-making, recognising that ethical governance is fundamental to organisational excellence, public trust and the nation’s long-term progress.

The Energy Technology Meet brings together industry leaders, experts and stakeholders to explore emerging technologies, encourage collaboration and develop innovative solutions for India’s evolving energy sector. The event provides a platform to exchange knowledge, showcase technological advancements and discuss strategies to strengthen the country’s energy security while supporting its transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

Sanctoria, Asansol (WB), October 27, 2026: Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has established a state-of-the-art Geotechnical Laboratory at its headquarters here to strengthen in-house technical capabilities, improve mine safety and reduce dependence on external testing agencies.

The facility, inaugurated by Dr Satish Jha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director on Tuesday, is the first of its kind among the producing subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. Functional Directors of the company, including Shri Mohd. Anzar Alam, Director (Finance), Shri Gunjan Kumar Sinha, Director (HR) and Shri Chitaranjan Kumar, Director (Tech/Ops), were prominent among the senior officers present on the occasion.

The laboratory is expected to enhance ECL’s technical self-reliance by enabling independent rock mechanics and soil testing, reducing turnaround time and associated costs. It will also help ease the testing workload of Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), Coal India’s mine planning and consultancy arm, by undertaking geotechnical investigations in-house.

Equipped with advanced instruments, including a Universal Testing Machine, Rock Triaxial Instrument, Brazilian Test Apparatus, Direct Shear Instrument, Point Load Apparatus and Slake Durability Test Apparatus, the facility will support scientific assessment of rock and soil properties critical to mining operations.
While facilitating slope stability assessments in opencast mines, the laboratory will also support Rock Mass Rating (RMR) evaluations, roof and floor stability studies and strata-control assessments in underground mines, contributing to safer and more efficient mining practices.

Beyond its own operational requirements, ECL envisages extending the facility’s services to sister subsidiaries of Coal India, offering an additional option for specialised geotechnical testing. The laboratory also has the potential to cater to other mining and construction companies, opening avenues for optimal utilisation of technical infrastructure and revenue generation.

To facilitate wider utilisation and enhance the credibility of its testing services, ECL plans to pursue accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for relevant testing parameters, subject to applicable requirements.

The facility will also promote technical training, skill development and indigenous expertise, strengthening ECL’s long-term capabilities in scientific mine management.

The initiative marks a significant step towards technical self-reliance while positioning ECL as a potential provider of specialised geotechnical testing services to the broader mining and infrastructure sectors.

The other candidates who appeared for the selection process were Shri Dillip Kumar Behera, General Manager (HR), Mahanadi Coalfields Limited; Shri Rajesh V. Nair, General Manager (HR) and Head of the Policy Cell, Rajbhasha and Appeal Cell at CIL; Shri Surapureddi Venkata Ravindranath, General Manager (HR) and Head of Recruitment at CIL; Shri Suvankar Parida, General Manager (HR), Manpower/EE, SECL Headquarters; Shri Ajay Behera, General Manager (HR), South Eastern Coalfields Limited; Shri Jobi V. P., General Manager (HR), Central Coalfields Limited; Shri Durga Prasad Samal, General Manager (HR), CIL; Shri Sukadev Seth, General Manager (HR/Security), Mahanadi Coalfields Limited; Shri Pankaj Kumar, Executive Director (Human Resources), NLC India Limited; Shri Rajender Singh Sajwan, Executive Director (HR), Hindustan Copper Limited; and Shri Neeraj Singh, Chief General Manager, Power Finance Corporation Limited.

ECL plans to extend the laboratory’s testing services to other Coal India subsidiaries, as well as external mining and construction companies. The company also intends to pursue National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation for relevant testing parameters to enhance the laboratory’s credibility and wider utilisation. In addition to providing specialised geotechnical testing services, the facility will promote technical training, skill development and indigenous expertise in scientific mine management. The initiative is expected to strengthen ECL’s technical capabilities while supporting safer, more reliable and efficient mining practices across the industry.

The project, titled “Enrichment of Wagon Unloading at Wagon Tippler”, aimed at eliminating wagon detention, improving operational safety and enhancing the efficiency of raw material unloading.

The Quality Circle identified wagon swinging and improper positioning as the major causes of delays in wagon unloading. These problems resulted in production disruptions, equipment damage, increased maintenance requirements and railway demurrage. Through systematic analysis and brainstorming, the team developed and implemented a rail car retarder mechanism to ensure proper wagon positioning, along with an indication system to facilitate better coordination with the control room.

Following successful implementation, the average wagon unloading delay in Phase-I was reduced significantly from 32 hours per month to 6 hours per month, an improvement of around 81 per cent. The modification has also helped reduce damage to hydraulic components, improve equipment reliability and provide additional time for maintenance and housekeeping.

Besides tangible financial gains, the initiative has enhanced workplace safety, operational convenience, teamwork and employee confidence.

The Ananya Quality Circle comprises Mr. A. K. Jena, Mr. S. K. Samal, Mr. B. B. Sethy and Mr. A. K. Naik, all Junior Engineering Associates with Mr. A. K. Dhal, Deputy Manager, as facilitator.

As per the existing provisions, employees are required to vacate their allotted quarters within two months of separation from service. However, 133 quarters continue to remain under unauthorized occupation, with some occupants retaining possession for periods ranging from 3 to 20 years. During this period, essential utilities such as electricity and water have also continued to be availed of in these premises.

The prolonged unauthorized occupation of company quarters has emerged as a significant concern, particularly as several of these accommodations belong to higher-grade categories and are urgently required for allotment to serving employees awaiting company accommodation.

Despite earlier efforts involving legal proceedings, including the filing of Public Premises (PP) cases, issuance of formal notices and persuasion through Town Services, the recovery of these quarters remained a challenge. Taking serious note of the matter, RSP management has now launched an intensified and coordinated drive to ensure the recovery of all quarters under unauthorized occupation.

A dedicated task force led by the Head of Town Services, and police personnel, is visiting the premises to facilitate their vacation and recovery by the company. The intensified efforts have already yielded encouraging results, with approximately 15 quarters recovered in less than a month.

The drive reflects RSP’s firm commitment to ensuring the proper utilisation of company accommodation and making it available to eligible serving employees. The recovery operation will continue until all quarters under unauthorized occupation are vacated and restored to the company for allotment to deserving employees.