The Bipartite Safety committee meeting of NTPC / NML Coal mining projects was held on 26.07.2024. Shri Prabhat Kumar, Director General(DGMS) ,MoL&E, Govt of India was the Chief Guest of the occasion , Sh. Shivam Srivastava ,Director (Fuel) & Chairman ,NML ,Sh. S S Prasad, Dy. Director General (South Eastern Zone-DGMS), DGMS officials from Ranchi Region, Bhubaneswar Region and Raigarh Region also graced the occasion along with Shri Animesh Jain, RED (Coal Mining)/CEO(NML),Sh Ram Baboo Prasad, Associate(Mining) ,Head of Projects from Coal Mining sites, Mine Agents and Safety Officers.

The meeting took off with lighting of lamps by the dignitaries followed by paying homage to the martyrs of coal mining industry.

Shri Jain, RED (Coal Mining) and CEO NML in his welcome address expressed gratitude to the offices of DGMS for their continued support and guidance to NTPC mining sites. He added that coal mining has many inheriting challenges, therefore creating safety culture is crucial to ensure zero harm to the manpower working in mines. He shared that NTPC Coal mining projects are able to operate without any severe fatalities and injuries which is possible with the support and guidance of DGMS officials.

Sh. Srivastava ,Director (Fuel), NTPC Limited & Chairman (NML) stressed upon the importance of a forum like this which allows DGMS and NTPC management to express their views and will play a constructive role in the progress of NTPC as a mining entity with 3Cs i.e Communication, Cooperation and Collaboration. He stated that mining operation comes with Man-Machine movement and intense mining and to sustain a high level of operation maintenance of safety standards becomes crucial. Therefore, safety is to be treated as topmost priority. He reiterated that safety is the responsibility of each and every one operating in mining operations.

Director General,DGMS ,Sh Prabhat Kumar addressing the gathering said that mining is a tough job, NTPC Coal Mines are new and can set benchmarks for others. Sh Kumar suggested finding new ways for resolution to the challenges in mining operations with compliances. He said that NTPC /NML will do good in the coming days & achieve new milestones. DGMS officials appreciated the efforts taken by NTPC to promote a safe workplace.

During the Bipartite meeting presentations were made by the NTPC Coal projects focusing on the challenges and critical issues for open discussion and deliberation. The best practices of NTPC Coal Mining and new initiatives for promoting a safe workplace were showcased in the meeting through interactive videos.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by Mr Faiz Tayab, Head of Project ,Pakri Barwadih mine.