The 17th All Odisha Quality Circle Convention was organized by NALCO on April 25 and 26, at Nalco Nagar, Bhubaneswar. The QC Convention is being organized by NALCO since 1996 with an aim to spread the Quality Circle movement in Odisha, and also to provide a platform for competition to encourage the best Quality Circles & TPM Circles operating in the State. This year, the convention witnessed participation of 34 Quality Circles and 6 TPM Circles from 25 different industries of Odisha, who shared their case studies through presentations.
The programme was inaugurated by Shri Ansuman Das, Director (Commercial), NALCO. On this occasion, senior officials of NALCO including Shri S.S. Mahapatra, Director (Production), Shri K.S. Sreedhara, Executive Director (Production), Shri P.K. Pattnaik, GM (TQM) and Shri D.K. Srivastava, Executive Director, QCFI were also present.
On the concluding day, Shri N.R. Mohanty, Director (P & T) of NALCO, was the chief guest and handed over the prizes to the winning teams. On this occasion, Prof. R.P. Mohanty, Vice-Chancellor, S ‘O’A University delivered the keynote address.
The NALCO Trophy and Gold Plaque were won by Quality Circle `DISCOVERY’ of NALCO, while Quality Circle `SHREEKHETRA’ of HAL, Engine Division, Sunabeda emerged as the Runner-up and won the Silver Plaque. Among the TPM Circles, `SUBSTATION’ of TATA Steel, East Iron Ore Mines, Joda was the winner and bagged the Gold Plaque, while `PARIBARTAN’ of Balasore Alloys, Balgopalpur was the Runner-up winning the Silver Plaque. Quality Circles `INDUSTRIAL EARS’ of OCL India, Cement Division, Rajgangpur and `EDISON’ of Tata Steel, Chromite Mines, Sukinda received awards for Meritorious Performance. Special Prizes for “Best Analysis & Process”, “Best Effectiveness & Result” and “Best Learning Experience” were won by Quality Circles `ARYAN’ of HINDALCO Power, Sambalpur, `PRARAMBHA’ of Rourkela Steel Plant, Rourkela and `DIPTI’ of NTPC, Talcher, respectively.