OREANDA-NEWS. October 18, 2011. The Prime Minister's Shram awards have once again stood testimony to the mettle and dedication of the employees of Maharatna Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). Of the 189 Shram Awards for calendar years 2008, 2009 and 2010 presented by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Union Minister for Labour & Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge at a glittering ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan here yesterday, 103 went to SAIL employees. This translates to 54.5% of the total number of Shram awards presented. It is worth mentioning that the estimated savings resulting from implementation of the award-winning projects of SAIL employees are over Rs. 440 crore on a recurring basis and Rs. 220 crore on a one-time basis.

SAIL Director (Personnel & Technical) Mr B.B. Singh and SAIL Director (Finance) Mr Anil Chaudhary felicitated the award winners here today. Congratulating the awardees, Mr Singh said their achievement would motivate their colleagues to set examples of creativity and innovation at the workplace. In his congratulatory address, Mr Chaudhary underscored the need for making the life and work of customers simpler and better, and advised the awardees to work towards this end. A compilation of awarded projects was also released on the occasion.

Constituted by the Government of India, the Shram awards are given in recognition of distinguished performance, innovative abilities, outstanding contribution in the field of productivity and exhibition of exceptional courage and presence of mind.

SAIL workers, known for their dedication and commitment to organizational excellence, have brought laurels for the company and its plants and units at various awards and fora, year after year. In the Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar list for 2009 announced on 31st August 2011, 73 employees of SAIL won 14 of the 28 awards, the highest number awards among all other PSUs and private companies.