Continuing with their winning streak, 73 employees of Maharatna Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) have won 14 of the 28 Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar (VRP) for 2009 announced on 31st AugustÔÇÖ11. SAIL has won the maximum number of VRPs among all other PSUs and private companies.
27 employees from SAILÔÇÖs Bokaro Steel Plant won 5 of these awards, the highest number of awards and awardees among the 14 awarded organisations. In addition, SAILÔÇÖs Bhilai Steel Plant won 4 VRPs, Rourkela Steel Plant bagged 3, and Durgapur and Salem Steel Plants have been selected for 1 award each.
Instituted by the Government of India in 1965, the Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar is a national award given every year by the Ministry of Labour in association with the Directorate General, Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes to workers of industrial undertakings in recognition of their outstanding suggestions leading to cost reduction, improvement in quality, productivity and working conditions such as safety, health and environment conservation in their organisations.
SAIL employees won the VRPs in three different categories ÔÇô 1 in class ÔÇÿAÔÇÖ, 5 in class ÔÇÿBÔÇÖ and 8 in class ÔÇÿCÔÇÖ. The winners under these classes will get cash prizes of Rs. 75,000, Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000, respectively, along with certificates of merit.