First all-women central store unit
Women power leads Coal India’s new central store unit: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), inaugurated its first all-women-operated Central Store Unit on 5 October 2025 at the Central Workshop, Korba, Chhattisgarh. This marks a major step in women-led industrial empowerment under the Government’s theme of Nari Shakti se Rashtra Shakti.
The unit will handle spare parts supply, logistics, and inventory management for SECL. What makes it unique is the workforce composition — eight women officers and staff members are responsible for all daily operations, including administration.
Leadership and workforce
The store is headed by Ms. Sapna Ikka, Senior Manager (E&M), an alumna of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. Her leadership represents the growing presence of women engineers in the mining and heavy industry sector.
Earlier, SECL had also set up Coal India’s first all-women dispensary at Bilaspur, reinforcing its commitment to gender inclusivity and workplace diversity.
Static GK fact: Coal India Limited is the world’s largest coal producer, headquartered in Kolkata, established in 1975.
Digital and operational features
The store unit is integrated with a SAP-based digital platform. This ensures real-time inventory tracking, automated audits, and transparent reporting. Such digitization strengthens accountability and efficiency in one of India’s most vital public sector undertakings.
Automation of processes reduces delays and builds transparency in material movement — a crucial requirement in large-scale industries like coal mining.
Static GK Tip: SAP stands for Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing, a widely used enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
Significance for women empowerment
This initiative is not just symbolic. It demonstrates a structural shift in India’s industrial environment by placing women in technical, supervisory, and operational roles traditionally dominated by men.
It shows that women engineers and managers are increasingly part of the country’s core industrial ecosystem, challenging stereotypes in mining, logistics, and energy.
Static GK fact: The International Labour Organization (ILO) has consistently emphasized gender equality in industries to improve productivity and innovation.
Alignment with national priorities
The inauguration aligns with Special Campaign 5.0, focusing on efficiency and inclusivity. It also resonates with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047, where skill-driven participation of women is a key pillar.
The initiative further reflects Mission Karmayogi, designed to promote professional excellence and diversity in public enterprises. It also strengthens the CSR and governance profile of Coal India Limited by embedding inclusivity within its workforce.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Women power leads Coal India’s new central store unit:
| Topic | Detail |
| Event | Inauguration of first all-women Central Store Unit |
| Date | 5 October 2025 |
| Location | Central Workshop, Korba, Chhattisgarh |
| Organization | South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), subsidiary of CIL |
| Workforce | 8 women officers and staff members |
| Head of Unit | Ms. Sapna Ikka, Senior Manager (E&M) |
| Campaign | Government of India’s Special Campaign 5.0 |
| Previous Initiative | All-women dispensary at Bilaspur |
| Digital Feature | SAP-based inventory and audit system |
| National Alignment | Nari Shakti se Rashtra Shakti, Atmanirbhar Bharat, Mission Karmayogi |
