Bongaigaon Refinery of IndianOil bags ‘Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar’
Guwahati   13-Jun-2009
<b>Bongaigaon:</b> In recognition of its outstanding environment performance, Bongaigaon Refinery of IndianOil has been awarded the prestigious ‘Indira Gandhi Paryayaran Puraskar’ under the Organization Category for the performance year 2006, in recognition of its achievement in management and , recycling of waste water, lowest fuel consumption and hydrocarbon loss among all refineries in the country, preserving the ecological balance and creating environmental awareness, statcdapress release. The President Pratibha Patil at a glittering function held at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi recently, presented the award. The award consisting of a silver lotus trophy, a citation and a cash prize was received by IndianOil Chairman Mr. Sarthak Behuria, in the distinguished presence of Minister of State, Environment & Forests (Independent Charge) Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Environment & Forests, secretary Mr. Vijai Sharma, renowned environmentalists and Chairman, Development Alternatives. Mr. Ashok. Khosla, Environment Sc Forests special-secretary Mr. B. S. Parsheera, IndianOil director (Refineries) Mr. B.N. Bankapur, Bongaigaon Refinery ED Mr. A. Saran, along with leading citizens of the country engaged in sustainable development endeavours in the country. The ‘Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar’ was instituted in 1987 by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India in memory of late Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. Bongaigaon Refinery of IndianOil is only the second industry, both in the private and public sector and the first amongst Indian refineries to be awarded the prestigious Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar since its inception in 1987. It would be pertinent to mention that the foundation stone of Bongaigaon Refinery was also laid by Late Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India; on January 19, 1972. The ‘Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar’ is given each year for significant contribution in the field of environment which is recognized as having pleasurable impact on the, protection and overall improvement of the environment and only one award is given every year under the Organization Category. "The Prize Selection Committee consists of the vice-President who is the Chairman of the selection panel, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Minister of Environment & Forests, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment & Forests and three expert members.