OUR CORRESPONDENT
DIGBOI: Terming Digboi AOD Refinery as one of the operational efficient refineries of the country, SK Das, the Chief General Manager (Technical), said that all the stakeholders, including the media and general people of Digboi, are expected to play constructive roles in promoting the cause of the oil industry, people and place at large.
Das, along with his colleagues D Baishya, the Chief General Manager (TS &HSE), and K Basumatary, General Manager (HR), was addressing the media during a press interaction held at the Golden Jubilee Complex, Digboi here recently. Officials of the top management and heads of the various AOD departments and representatives of the AOCLU Labor Union were also present during the session.
“Digboi Refinery is performing better and it is all set to achieve its targets on various parameters,” said Das, besides appreciating the achievements and utilization ratio of the CSR initiatives of Indian Oil on multiple fronts. “Not-so-encouraging news in the media sometimes calls for huge explanations from the upper hierarchy,” said the official while urging the media fraternity to support the cause of the refinery, place, and its people. The official was speaking about recent media content regarding a fire that broke out within very close proximity of Digboi Refinery recently. Admitting the poor coordination between the media houses and the AOD Corporate Communication over a year, Das assured the repair of the gaps.
Meanwhile, the achievements and contributions of the IOC, Assam Oil Division for the current and last fiscal years were also adequately briefed. According to the AOD management, the thrust areas under the AOD’s Corporate Social Responsibility, including education, health and hygiene, women empowerment, and rural development, were taken care of well with the optimal utilization of the resources. Of the total budget under CSR with Rs 11.95 crore for the FY 2022-23, Rs 417 lakh is earmarked for the Assam Oil School & College of Nursing- flagship CSR initiatives of the Indian Oil while Rs 65 lakh is being utilized for setting up solar street lights in all the municipal wards of Digboi.
Regarding health, AOD has earmarked Rs 5 lakh for Serve Santu Niramaya -a scheme involving free health check-up camps and medical kit distribution in areas within 50 kilometres radius of the refinery. Similarly, Rs 32 lakh is set aside for Gyanodaya – a scholarship scheme of the AOD with around 260-300 students of polytechnics and regular courses availing the benefits with Rs 12,000 per year.
Meanwhile, Rs 1.51 crore of the total CSR budget is being utilized in providing coaching to 45 students from various underprivileged sections of society for medical and engineering modules. The graphical representation showing cent per cent utilization of the CSR budget for the past four fiscal years was also highlighted, besides utilizing 72.36 per cent for the present CSR budget till date FY 2022-23.
With regard to the capacity enhancement of Digboi Refinery, it was said that the IOCL board had already accorded the approval of Rs 740 crore for its capacity expansion and the project would be completed by October 2025.
Also Read: New unit inaugurated at Digboi Refinery
Also Watch: