SAIL bags FICCI Award for Rural

New Delhi, Feb 15 (UNI) The public sector company Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) was today honoured with the FICCI Annual Award 2006-07 for outstanding achievement in the category of Rural and Community Development Initiatives.

SAIL Chairman S K Roongta received the award from Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at a function held at the FICCI Golden Jubilee Auditorium in New Delhi. The company was selected for the annual award by an eminent jury headed by former Chief Justice of India P N Bhagwati.

The FICCI award recognises the developmental activities undertaken by SAIL during the last five years for rural development, including application of science and technology, animal husbandry and growth of rural industry, infrastructure, education, health and family welfare.

The scope and coverage of the activities included the extent to which SAIL has contributed beyond its formal allotted assignments to undertake or stimulate new initiatives on rural development like skill development and empowerment of rural people through training programmes; women's empowerment; promotion of rural enterprises like handlooms and handicrafts; involvement of panchayats; linkage with ongoing rural development/anti-poverty or other programmes of the Government.

The prospects of continuity of developmental activities and potential for future growth was also considered by the jury for the award.

The award states, "Steel Authority of India Ltd has done commendable work in supporting educational, charitable and welfare institutions. It has taken major initiatives towards promoting education, healthcare, drinking water, infrastructure and economic development of communities, covering wider areas adjoining its plants. The has allocated 2 per cent of its budgeted distributable surplus towards these developmental activities.

The community development initiatives of SAIL in coordination with state and central governments involve local panchayats to ensure that the benefits arising out of their activities reach the masses at the grassroots level," it added.

The company was also the first PSU to receive the business world-FICCI-SEDF Corporate Social Responsibility Award for the year 2006.

UNI/BKS AK VC1800