Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister`s Shram awards 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 2008, 2009 and 2010 presented by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge at a glittering ceremony held in New Delhi on Thursday, 103 went to SAIL employees, the company said today. This translates to 54.5 per cent of the total number of Shram awards presented. 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.
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 the presence of mind.
In the Vishwakarma Rashtriya Puraskar list for 2009 announced in August 2011, 73 employees of SAIL won 14 of the 28 awards, the highest number awards among all other PSUs and private companies.