OREANDA-NEWS. April 25, 2011. The 16th All Odisha Quality Circle Convention was organized by NALCO on 20th & 21st April, at Nalco Nagar, Bhubaneswar. The QC Convention is being organized by NALCO since 1996 with an aim to spread the Quality Circle movement in Odisha, and also to provide a platform for competition to encourage the best Quality Circles & TPM Circles operating in the State. This year the convention witnessed participation of 25 Quality Circles and 5 TPM Circles from 17 different industries of Odisha., who shared their case studies through presentations. With Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) being adopted by a few organisations, the convention also encouraged participation of TPM Circles.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri A. K. Sharma, Director (Production), NALCO. On the concluding day, Shri B. L. Bagra, Chairman-cum- Managing Director of NALCO, was the chief guest and handed over the prizes to the winning teams. In his address Shri Bagra called upon the participating teams for further adherence to quality practices and to spread this quality movement with inclusion of small and medium sector enterprises and service sector organisations like schools, hospitals etc. At the outset Dr. G. K. Nayak, Director, IIIT, Bhubaneswar delivered the keynote address and Shri K.S. Sreedhara, ED(Production), NALCO, summarised the convention proceedings.

The NALCO Trophy and Gold Plaque were won by Quality Circle `MASHAL’ of OCL India, Rajgangpur, while Quality Circle `PIT CRANE 2’ of FAP, TATA Steel, Joda emerged as the Runner-up and won the Silver Plaque. Among the TPM Circles, `UNBRAKO’ of TATA Steel, East Iron Ore Mines, Joda was the winner and bagged the Gold Plaque , while `ARJUN’ of Balasore Alloys, Balgopalpur was the Runner-up winning the Silver Plaque. Quality Circles `SPANDAN’ of Smelter Plant, NALCO and `ANWESANA’ of Rourkela Steel Plant received awards for Meritorious Performance. Special Prizes for “Best Analysis & Process”, “Best Effectiveness & Result” and “Best Learning Experience” were won by Quality Circles `CHETNA’ of TATA Refractories, Belpahar, `QC-2’ of HAL, Sunabeda and `PATH FINDER’ of Bolani Ore Mines, SAIL, respectively.