SECL Clears 846 PF & Pension Cases Under ‘Prayas’ — Widows Get Faster Financial Relief
New Delhi: In a major step toward strengthening social security support for families of deceased employees, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has successfully resolved 846 pending provident fund (PF) and pension claims since April 2025. The progress has been achieved through a coordinated effort between SECL’s Vigilance Department, the Human Resources Department, and the Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO).
The initiative, driven under the special outreach program titled ‘Prayas’, has primarily benefited widows and dependents who often face administrative hurdles while accessing pension and provident fund benefits after the death of an employee. By simplifying procedures and enhancing coordination between departments, the company has significantly reduced delays in claim settlements.
Vigilance Department Triggered the Reform
The effort gained momentum after SECL’s Vigilance Department raised concerns about the delays in PF and pension settlement on April 5, 2025. The department highlighted the difficulties faced by families and emphasized the need for a coordinated mechanism to address pending cases in a time-bound manner.
Following this intervention, a joint review meeting on April 22, 2025 brought together SECL management, CMPFO officials, and representatives from different operational areas. During the meeting, pending claims were examined individually and directions were issued to expedite their processing.
To ensure sustained progress, a monthly monitoring system was introduced to track the status of claims and maintain accountability among responsible departments.
‘Prayas’ Camps Help Clear Long-Pending Claims
To further speed up settlements, CMPFO launched the ‘Prayas’ outreach program, organizing nine PF-pension facilitation camps across SECL operational areas between July 2025 and February 2026.
These camps allowed beneficiaries to interact directly with officials, verify documents on the spot, and complete formalities without repeated visits to offices. The approach significantly reduced procedural delays and helped resolve several cases that had been pending for long periods.
As a result of these coordinated measures, SECL has been able to settle an average of nearly 75 cases every month, ensuring both pending and newly filed claims are processed quickly.
Transparency Through Direct Beneficiary Feedback
To ensure transparency and verify that beneficiaries are actually receiving their dues, SECL management also introduced random verification calls to dependents of former employees. During these calls, officials confirmed the issuance of Pension Payment Orders (PPOs) and collected feedback on the claim settlement process.
This direct engagement has helped the organization monitor service quality and identify potential bottlenecks in the system.
Widow Pension Processed Within Seven Days
The improved system has already produced remarkable outcomes. One notable example is the case of Smt. Vimla Bhushan, widow of late SECL employee Bharat Bhushan, whose pension claim was processed within just seven days.
The required documents were received on May 9, 2025, the proposal was forwarded on May 13, and the Pension Payment Order (PPO) was issued on May 15, 2025.
Her son Neeraj Bhushan expressed appreciation for the swift process, stating that the family had not expected the pension to be sanctioned so quickly and that the timely support provided significant relief during a difficult period.
A Model for Other Coal India Subsidiaries
The success of SECL’s vigilance-driven approach is now being viewed as a model for other subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. Encouraged by the results, several coal companies under the public sector mining giant have begun exploring similar mechanisms to ensure faster PF and pension settlement for employees’ families.
Officials believe that such initiatives not only strengthen employee welfare but also build trust between public sector enterprises and their workforce by ensuring that families receive financial support without unnecessary delays.