NALCO runs two schools in the area: while in Saraswati Vidya Mandir, the medium of education is vernacular, the Delhi Public School imparts education via the CBSE pattern in English medium. “These schools provide education to both Nalconians and Non-Nalconians. The company does not discriminate on this line and the school fees are also very modest,” claims Anil Bhatt, Chief Manager, Public Relations & Periphery Development, NALCO, while elaborating on the company’s policy. As per the 2001census, the NALCO township has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%.
Nalconagar at Angul can also be called a mini India, as people from almost every state of the country live here. We found the secular texture of Indian society intact, as a temple, a mosque & a church are all built on the land provided by the company. People from all religions gather to celebrate each other’s festivals. Viswakarma Puja is regarded as the mass festival of the township; cutting across religion & regions, and employees congregate to celebrate this festival. Apart from this, Jagannath Rathyatra, Eid & Christmas are other important festivals of the township. “The company also provides funds to celebrate all these festivals,” says a senior executive of the company.
Though small in size, there is an all-in-one shopping complex in the township. A cooperative society of Nalco employees manages a departmental store also. Residents of this township depend upon this tiny shopping complex for their day-to-day needs. Recreational activities of the employees have been also taken care of. A mini stadium, a community centre and a sports complex signify this, as do many parks across the township. One can also find a symbolic recognition of the spirit of equality within the township as land & buildings have been allotted to three different worker unions and an officer’s association as well. In the recent past, these unions have vehemently opposed the central government’s proposal to privatise Nalco. However, the sight of old Fiat cars abandoned & dumped on streets in large numbers gives a startling, as well as discomfitting insight into the life of Nalco employees. We found 50-plus such cars and also noticed a number of Maruti 800s that have met the same fate as their Fiat predecessors! This reminded us of the allegations in a local daily, which stated that many company employees are grabbing monthly fuel allowance showing these vehicles as on road. The report alleged that employees buy such dilapidated vehicles for as low as Rs.10,000. If such misuse of government funds is true, it is a concern that most PSUs share.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
Nalconagar at Angul can also be called a mini India, as people from almost every state of the country live here. We found the secular texture of Indian society intact, as a temple, a mosque & a church are all built on the land provided by the company. People from all religions gather to celebrate each other’s festivals. Viswakarma Puja is regarded as the mass festival of the township; cutting across religion & regions, and employees congregate to celebrate this festival. Apart from this, Jagannath Rathyatra, Eid & Christmas are other important festivals of the township. “The company also provides funds to celebrate all these festivals,” says a senior executive of the company.
Though small in size, there is an all-in-one shopping complex in the township. A cooperative society of Nalco employees manages a departmental store also. Residents of this township depend upon this tiny shopping complex for their day-to-day needs. Recreational activities of the employees have been also taken care of. A mini stadium, a community centre and a sports complex signify this, as do many parks across the township. One can also find a symbolic recognition of the spirit of equality within the township as land & buildings have been allotted to three different worker unions and an officer’s association as well. In the recent past, these unions have vehemently opposed the central government’s proposal to privatise Nalco. However, the sight of old Fiat cars abandoned & dumped on streets in large numbers gives a startling, as well as discomfitting insight into the life of Nalco employees. We found 50-plus such cars and also noticed a number of Maruti 800s that have met the same fate as their Fiat predecessors! This reminded us of the allegations in a local daily, which stated that many company employees are grabbing monthly fuel allowance showing these vehicles as on road. The report alleged that employees buy such dilapidated vehicles for as low as Rs.10,000. If such misuse of government funds is true, it is a concern that most PSUs share.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
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