Coal India, through its subsidiary Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), has played a pivotal role in the development of the eight Aspirational Districts of Jharkhand, which include Ranchi, Ramgarh, Chatra, Latehar, Palamu, Giridih, Hazaribagh and Bokaro. This initiative is part of India’s broader Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018. CCL’s involvement in these districts demonstrates how corporate partnerships, strategic CSR initiatives and deep engagement with local communities can drive tangible development outcomes in some of the country’s least developed regions.
CCL, a Mini-Ratna subsidiary of Coal India Limited, operates in these eight Aspirational Districts, where much of the population is marginalised and lacks access to basic amenities like healthcare, education and sustainable livelihood opportunities. CCL’s commitment to transforming these districts goes beyond coal mining, making a significant impact through its comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Under the ADP, four districts—Ranchi, Ramgarh, Chatra, and Latehar—have been specifically linked to CCL for CSR project funding, although the company continues to operate and implement initiatives in all eight districts. The CSR budget for CCL in the fiscal year 2023-2024 was `61.91 crore, of which a substantial portion was directed toward health, education, sanitation and rural development in the Aspirational Districts.
A major component of CCL’s CSR activities involves addressing healthcare deficiencies in these districts. One of the most notable projects is the construction of a centralised kitchen in Ramgarh, which, once completed, will provide mid-day meals to around 50,000 students from over 500 government schools. This not only improves child nutrition but also promotes school attendance, enhancing the overall educational outcomes in the district.
In Chatra, CCL has also provided two advanced life support ambulances to improve healthcare accessibility, especially in rural areas. The company further supports tuberculosis treatment in Ranchi by supplying modern equipment, including digital X-rays and ventilators, to local healthcare facilities.
Through a series of health camps organised in villages and schools across these eight districts, CCL’s CSR efforts reached over 200,000 beneficiaries in 2023-2024. The regular health camps provide basic diagnostic and referral services to the underserved populations.
Water scarcity is a significant issue in Jharkhand’s coal-mining areas. To address this, CCL has installed solar-powered deep bore wells, hand pumps, and water filters in various villages. In FY 2023-2024, the company set up 65 deep bore wells with solar submersible pumps, providing much-needed access to clean drinking water for thousands of residents. This initiative significantly reduces the daily burden of fetching water, especially for women and children.
Education has been another primary focus of CCL’s interventions. Its flagship programme, CCL Ke Lal and CCL Ki Laadli, has been instrumental in providing free engineering coaching to 40 students (20 boys and 20 girls) each year. These students, drawn from marginalised communities, are supported with lodging, schooling and coaching for IIT entrance exams, resulting in success stories of students securing admissions in premier institutions like IITs and securing jobs in multinational companies.
In addition, CCL has supported infrastructure development in local schools by constructing classrooms, boundary walls, and drinking water facilities. The company also provides scholarships to children who lost parents due to COVID-19, ensuring their education continues uninterrupted.
Livelihood generation is a crucial part of CCL’s strategy to curb migration from rural areas. In 2023-2024, the company conducted skill development training for 180 individuals in plastic engineering, with a placement rate of 85%. CCL also collaborated with local Santhal tribal women in handloom weaving, providing training and new looms to boost their income through eco-friendly natural dye processes.
Moreover, the company is promoting mushroom cultivation as a livelihood option in mining-affected areas of Ramgarh, thereby enabling local peasants to diversify their income sources.
In addition to direct community interventions, CCL is also focused on environmental sustainability. The company constructed and renovated 11 ponds across various villages, ensuring water availability for agricultural and other purposes. It has also promoted the use of solar energy by installing solar panels, street lights, and solar-powered water tanks.
The impact of CCL on the aspirational districts of Jharkhand underscores the power of corporate intervention in driving holistic, sustainable development. By addressing critical gaps in health, education, sanitation, livelihood, and environmental sustainability, CCL has not only improved the quality of life for thousands of people but also created a foundation for long-term, inclusive growth. These efforts are a testament to the role that public-private partnerships can play in transforming India’s most underdeveloped regions into thriving, empowered communities.
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