Latest news with #WesternCoalfieldsLimited
Time of India
7 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
New Canvas: Walls that educate and engage, draw students to NMC schools
Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is painting a new picture, literally, of public education. With an aim to make its schools more appealing, vibrant and inspiring, the civic body launched a beautification initiative under which school walls are being transformed with colourful, educational and creative artworks. These "talking walls", as they are being fondly called, are sparking curiosity among students and earning appreciation from parents. As part of preparations for the upcoming 2025-26 academic session, NMC is targeting quality enhancement and holistic learning. With use of bright colours and educational murals, the "talking walls" aim to create a positive and immersive environment for students from the very first day. Five schools underwent major aesthetic revamps and now have walls lined with paintings of aircraft, science labs, mathematical formulas, planets, wildlife, cartoons, alphabets and more. The walls do more than just decorate — they now engage, educate, and excite. The transformation happened under the guidance of municipal commissioner and administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari, and the leadership of additional commissioner Vaishnavi B, along with education officer Sadhana Sayam. It was funded by Western Coalfields Limited's CSR initiative and implemented through the Jichkar Foundation under the 'Happy School Project'. In recent years, student enrolment in NMC schools has steadily declined. The 2023-24 academic year saw primary enrolment drop from 8,427 to 6,495, and secondary enrolment from 5,789 to 4,879. Over the past five years, enrolment decreased by 2-5% annually, with a sharper 10-20% decline in 2024-25. The trend led to the closure of nine schools, including Priyadarshini Primary and Sheshrao Wankhede Secondary schools. Despite infrastructure upgrades and cultural initiatives, parents prefer private English-medium schools. In response, NMC launched English-medium schools and the 'Navchetna' campaign to attract students and improve facilities. Vaishnavi B interacted with the parents to encourage admissions in NMC schools. With improved Class 10 and 12 board results last year, the perception of municipal schools is beginning to shift, slowly, but positively. Apart from the visual appeal, many classrooms have been cleaned and equipped with better seating arrangements. Playgrounds have been spruced up to ensure a wholesome learning environment. Also, several NMC schools are introducing digital smart classrooms and activity-based learning modules. The focus is shifting from rote learning to holistic development. Initiatives are being taken to include sports, art & craft, music and regular use of school libraries in the daily schedule. Teachers are being trained to make learning more engaging, and the improved infrastructure is motivating them to deliver high-quality education. The goal is to reduce dropout rates, build stronger connections between students and schools, and instil a love for learning in every child walking through the school gate.
Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Western Coalfields Limited admnisters oath of environment protection to employees
1 2 3 4 5 6 Nagpur: Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) administered the oath of environment protection and promotion to its employees in an immpressive function held to mark World Environment Day recently. Chief guest and CMD of WCL JP Dwivedi hoisted the environment flag and administered the oath. He also planted trees at the company headquarters. Special guests included director technical (operations) AK Singh, director (finance) Bikram Ghosh, director technical (planning/project) Anandji Prasad and director (finance) Dr Hemant Sharad Pandey. In his address, CMD Dwivedi spoke in detail about the various works done by WCL towards environmental protection. He said that every day of the year, everyone should be aware of environmental protection and make a positive contribution in that direction. He appealed to everyone to protect and enhance the environment. Dwivedi launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign of the Ministry of Coal in WCL. This special campaign of tree plantation will be run in all the areas along with WCL headquarters from June 5 to August 31, 2025. On the occasion winners of various competitions were awarded by the guests. After this, all the guests planted saplings. On the occasion, General managers, department heads, officers and employees were present in large numbers. The programme was conducted by Milind Chahande, manager (public relations).
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt issues vesting orders for 7 coal blocks with 13.07 MTPA capacity
New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal on Thursday issued vesting orders for seven coal blocks under commercial coal mine auctions with a cumulative peak rated capacity (PRC) of 13.07 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and geological reserves of approximately 5,063 million tonnes. The coal blocks — Dahegaon Makardhokra IV, Saradhapur Jalatap East, Banai & Bhalumunda, Sahapur East, Seregarha, and Vijay Central — are expected to generate an annual revenue of about ₹1,327 crore and attract capital investment of around ₹2,455 crore. Employment generation from these blocks is estimated at 18,522 persons, both direct and indirect, the ministry said in a statement. Of the seven blocks, five are fully explored and two are partially explored. The Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) for these blocks were signed on March 27, 2025. With the latest round, vesting or allocation orders have been issued for 116 coal blocks under the commercial auction regime, with a total PRC of 261.304 MTPA. These blocks are projected to generate annual revenue of approximately ₹37,000 crore and employment for around 3.53 lakh people, the ministry added. For the first time, Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has secured a coal block through the commercial auction route. The Ministry of Coal stated that this reflects its efforts to promote fair competition and equal participation opportunities in the commercial coal sector.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Telemedicine boost: Over 1,800 patients benefit from free expert consultation
Nagpur: In just three months, Nagpur Municipal Corporation's (NMC) telemedicine initiative provided free expert medical consultation to 1,821 patients across the city, bringing much-needed relief to economically disadvantaged families. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative, launched under the leadership of municipal commissioner and administrator Dr Abhijit Chaudhary, aims to offer quality healthcare to underprivileged citizens through virtual consultations with specialist doctors from across the country. Supported by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) under its CSR fund and operated by the Digiswasthya Foundation, the program currently runs at two Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) — Gittikhadan and Jagnath Budhwari. One of the most heartwarming success stories is that of 11-month-old Angel, a resident of Itwari, who was suffering from severe eye pain. Her parents, daily wage labourers, were unable to afford specialist treatment until they were guided to the Jagnath Budhwari UPHC. There, through video conferencing, Dr Ruchi Sharma from Delhi diagnosed and treated Angel free of charge, leading to her full recovery. Similar outcomes were reported in other cases. Two-year-old Aryan, suffering from fever and sudden swelling, was referred for kidney function tests based on a telemedicine consultation. He was later successfully treated at a govt hospital. Kiran Ram, 13, battling chronic fatigue and weakness, regained her health after receiving timely advice through the service. Adults have also benefited from the service. Sheela Gokhale, 33, received dermatological treatment for persistent skin issues. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Nanda Hedau, 35, suffering from excessive bleeding, was diagnosed and referred for further tests and care. Meanwhile, 55-year-old Rajendra Uke was cured of intense abdominal pain following a specialist consultation. Doctors from metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Gurugram, Ahmedabad, and Surat have participated in the programme, providing virtual consultation in specialties such as gynaecology, cardiology, dermatology, neurology, paediatrics, ENT, gastroenterology, nephrology, and more. According to NMC, Gittikhadan UPHC has so far catered to 948 patients, while Jagnath Budhwari has assisted 873 through the telemedicine facility. The success of the project has provided impetus to expansion plans. Additional commissioner Vasumana Pant and medical health officer Dr Deepak Selokar have confirmed that telemedicine units will soon become operational in at least one UPHC in each municipal zone. What Is Telemedicine? The NMC telemedicine facility connects patients at local health centres to expert doctors via video conferencing. If needed, patients are referred for further tests or surgeries, with support from govt schemes such as Ayushman Bharat and the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. The consultations are conducted on designated days from 9am to 2pm, with follow-ups to ensure effective treatment.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC Awards 4 Farmers Rs25 Lakh Each in WCL Mining Dumping Case
Nagpur: In a big relief for four farmers affected by mining-related damage , the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court directed Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) to pay Rs25 lakh each as interim compensation for illegally dumping mining overburden on their private agricultural lands in Chandrapur district . The court observed that the company acted without legal authority and 'exploited' the petitioners by depriving them of the use of their land for several years. The petitioners — Roopam Dhote, Shubham Donge, Rakhee Thakare, and Amol Dhawas — lawfully acquired land in village Naglon in 2015. Despite no formal acquisition by WCL, the company dumped nearly 2.16 lakh cubic meters of mining waste on the land, which subsequently became marshy and inaccessible. The landowners, represented by counsel Renuka Sirpurkar, approached HC in 2018, seeking compensation and restoration. The division bench of justices Avinash Gharote and Abhay Mantri ruled that the specific survey numbers were not included in the 2011 acquisition notification issued under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act. "Since the lands of survey numbers 61/5A, 61/5B, 61/5C, 61/5D are not included in the notification, they have not vested in the Central govt, and the petitioners continue to hold title," the judges stated. Rejecting WCL's argument that the land was within a broadly described boundary, the court said, "We are of the considered opinion that the notification has to include the concerned survey number. Failure to include such number would result in the land being excluded from acquisition." Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The court strongly criticised WCL's shifting stance while noting that the company initially agreed to acquire the land but later claimed it was no longer required. "It can't be denied that the petitioners were deprived of the use of their lands at least from 2016 till 2022. The threat of the overburden flowing into the land during continuous rainfall is a continuous one, looming over the petitioners," the court observed. Ordering the interim compensation, the bench noted, "We fix the tentative compensation to be paid to the petitioners for non-utilisation of the lands at Rs25 lakh per field, to be deposited by respondents within a week." The judges emphasised that any further claims would require detailed evaluation in civil proceedings. "The actual compensation which the petitioners claim, would be required to be determined in appropriate proceedings, as there are claims and counter-claims, and contrary positions indicated in the reports." Key takeaways from HC verdict: - Lands owned by petitioners not acquired under 2011 Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act notification - Survey numbers not notified for acquisition, hence ownership remains with petitioners - Unauthorized dumping of 2.16 lakh cubic meters of mining overburden by WCL on petitioners' land - WCL's conduct exploitative and violation of property rights under Article 300A - Interim compensation of Rs25 lakh per field to farmers, liberty to seek more
