AZIR KHOBOR, GUWAHATI, 8TH NOVEMBER, 2022 : The week-long observance of Vigilance Awareness Week 2022 at NRL on the theme, ‘Corruption free India for a developed nation’ from 31st October to 06th November, 2022 culminated today ie 7th of November 2022.
Chairman, APDCL and former Chief Secretary, Govt. of Assam, Shri Jishnu Barua, IAS presided over the closing function as Chief Guest, which was attended by MD NRL, Shri B J Phukan; Director (Finance), Director Finance NRL Shri Indranil Mittra; Chief Vigilance Officer, Shri Amit Saran, IRSME and NRL employees, their families and associated entities.
The Chief Guest in his speech congratulated NRL for adopting robust systems and procedures to combat corruption including achieving the status as top oil company in terms of procurement in GeM (Government E-marketplace) portal. Ethics, honesty, integrity and probity are difficult concepts to embrace and depend to a great extent on circumstances, family background and principles that have been inculcated over a period of time. Our country could add 1.5% GDP annually if its integrity index becomes comparable with those of Scandinavian countries who are the least corrupt. As the organisation grows, Vigilance should be value based one instead of one based on punitive action, he said.
CVO NRL Mr. Amit Saran in his address said that corruption is a major road block in the development of our nation, despite being one of the top countries in the world in terms of GDP. Vigilance Deptt is the extended arm of CVC in the organisation and it is the sacrosanct duty of each employee of the company starting from the junior most employee to the MD to ensure fairness, transparency and integrity in their conduct.
MD NRL Mr B J Phukan in his speech said that Vigilance is a continuous process and elucidated the steps taken by NRL to combat corruption.
DF Mr. I Mittra talked about the e-governance measure taken by NRL including minimising public interface and tech based initiatives. Adoption of guidelines has led to enhancement in transparency and accountability, he said.
Procurement manuals for Works and Services were released by the dignitaries on the occasion.
Earlier, the closing function started with a welcome address by Ms Pronita Deka, GM & Head of Department (Vigilance) wherein the august audience was apprised about the various activities taken up during the week under the guidance of CVO, NRL to sensitize and re-affirm the collective responsibility of NRL towards integrity and probity in public life. The activities for employees and their dependents included quiz, essay, slogan competitions etc. and webinar on ‘Preventive Vigilance with specific reference to Whistle Blower Policy (PIDPI) & common irregularities/lapses in public procurement ’whereas the outreach activities for the public included a walkathon at Golaghat in association with Golaghat District Sports Association , Gram Sabha’ at Mithachapari Village, Numaligarh, to sensitize citizens on ill-effects of corruption, Vendors’ Meet for Business Associates of NRL, district level quiz, debate, essay, slogan, art competitions for school & college children in which around 600 students from 40 different schools of Golaghat District participated. Similar programmes were also held at Siliguri Marketing Terminal location of NRL.