Innovative suggestions get workers national awards

New Delhi, Sep 14 (UNI) Twenty-three workers whose innovative suggestions led to improved productivity and efficiency in their organisations will receive the Labour Ministry's Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar for 2005.

Minister of State for Labour and Employment Chandra Sekhar Sahu will present the awards at a ceremony at Vigyan Bhawan on Sunday.

The implementation of the suggestions of the winning employees resulted in savings worth Rs 242 crore last year, the Labour Ministry said today.

The government also saved Rs 178.37 crore in foreign exchange because of these suggestions, the ministry said.

The awards are given by the government every year to workers, who give innovative suggestions leading to cost reduction, higher productivity, import substitution and improved efficiency.

The awards carry Rs 50,000 to Rs 10,000 each in three categories ---Pratham Shreni Puraskar, Dwitiya Shreni Puraskar and Tritiya Shreni Puraskar.

The government will also present the National Safety Awards are for 2005 to 28 workers and managements of factories in different industries in both public and private sectors. The safety awards is aimed at promoting high safety in industrial establishments by preventing accidents.

National Safety Awards are given in two categories, one based on lowest rate of accidents and the other for longest accident-free period.

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