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• Union Minister for Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi launched new Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of CIL in an event held at Ministry of Coal. • Under the first initiative, CIL is taking its commitment towards quality education a step further by commissioning smart classrooms in 70 Government schools. • This is in continuation of a similar initiative launched for 11 districts of Jharkhand on 31.01.2024.  • The present project worth Rs. 2.42 crores will be executed by EdCIL (India) Limited, a Miniratna PSU of the Govt. of India.  • The initiative is expected to improve the learning outcomes among students as well as reduce the digital divide that exists between students of Government schools vis a vis Private schools. • A new CSR scheme of CIL – Coal India Lok Sewa Protsahan Yojana was also launched on the occasion.  • The scheme is aimed at providing a financial support of Rs. 1 lakh per candidate to SC/ST and Female/Third Gender candidates from coal mining districts of Coal India Limited who clear the preliminary round of Civil Service/Forest Service Examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) during year 2024 to 2026. • A candidate should have an annual family income of less than Rs. 8 lakhs to avail the benefit under the scheme. Learn Along: About CIL • Coal India Limited (CIL) the state owned coal mining corporate came into being in November 1975. • CIL is a Maharatna company - a privileged status conferred by Government of India to select state owned enterprises in order to empower them to expand their operations and emerge as global giants.. • Chairman -cum- Managing Director: P M Prasad