1 May :The Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Srikant Kumar Jena presented Annual Awards of the Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI), in New Delhi yesterday evening. The Sriram Award for Caustic Soda Industry was presented to M/s DCW Ltd., Sahupuram, Tamil Nadu and the Darbari Seth Award for Soda Ash Industry was presented to M/s GHCL Ltd., Gujarat. Addressing the gathering, Shri Jena said that the Caustic Soda Industry and Soda Ash Industry are major industries in the country. He said that these industries are facing challenge from international competitors, especially from China. He said that the industries have potential to successfully compete with their international competitors and with efficient entrepreneurship these industries will go forward. The Minister further said that these awards are significant in order to promote economy, ecology and equity in this sector.
The Alkali Manufacturers Association of India has introduced two awards for Best Managed Plants i.e. one award each for Caustic Soda and Soda Ash Industry. The criteria of evaluation for both these awards is, manufacturing process, adoption of technology, capacity utilization, energy efficiency, water conservation, emission reduction, waste water recycling, waste utilization, rain water harvesting, tree-plantation, house keeping and labour productivity besides welfare of employees, safety and health practices, social responsibilities, community development and hazardous waste management. The two awards have been named after two leading industrialists who were pioneer to promote Chlor Alkali and Soda Ash Industry in the country. The Award for Best Managed Plant for Caustic Soda Industry is named after eminent industrialist, Sir Sriram and another Award for Best Managed Plant for Soda Ash industry is named after Darbari Seth who was pioneer in establishing Soda Ash Industry in the country.