Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals : Chelairu and Soorinje Grama Panchayats declared ‘Smoke Free’ and MRPL Kaushal Vikas Kendra launched

MRPL's Kaushal Vikas Kendra, was inaugurated and Smoke free village campaign was launched on 12th February 2017 at MRPL Employees Club by Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel, Hon'ble MP, Dakshina Kannada, in the presence of Shri Mohiuddin Bawa, Hon'ble MLA Mangalore North and Shri H Kumar, Managing Director. Director (Ref) Shri M Venkatesh, Director (F) Shri A K Sahoo, members of Team MRPL, other elected representatives and invited dignitaries, villagers of adjoining villages of Chelairu and Soorinje were present on the occasion.

As a part of Oil and Gas Conservation Month, MRPL has identified villages under four Grama Panchayats in its surroundings and decided to make them smoke free. Under this campaign, families in BPL (below poverty level) category have been identified and are given free LPG kits and gas stove. So far, these families have been using firewood or kerosene as fuel which will be replaced with LPG. MRPL is bearing the cost of the gas kit as well as the gas stove which is provided to these beneficiaries free of cost. In the first phase, about 200 families from Soorinje and Chelairu grama panchayats have been distributed the free kits. In the second phase on 15th February 2017, villagers from Permude and Jokatte grama panchayats will be given the free LPG kits.

The Presidents of Soorinje and Chelairu Grama Panchayats declared their villages namely, Cheliaru, Madhya, Soorinje & Delantabettu as 'Smoke free'.

Inaugurating the program, Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel emphasized the need to light the lamp of prosperity and knowledge in every home and every village drawing from the vision of Gandhiji, Father of the Nation and Swami Vivekananda who pointed out every person as a unit for Nation Building. Complimenting MRPL on launching MRPL Kaushal Vikas Kendra, he said that this is a wonderful opportunity for talented youth to further their career. He pointed out that Central government under Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi is committed to building and transforming India and therefore the emphasis on many schemes such as Swachh Bharat Mission, Skill India, Digital India, Start-up India and Make in India. He complimented MRPL for its efforts towards Smoke Free Villages and Kaushal Vikas Kendra. He said that he will support all such initiatives of MRPL which are aimed towards development of the surrounding areas.

Shri Mohiuddin Bawa said that he will wholeheartedly support MRPL Kaushal Vikas Kendra (MRPL KVK) as it will generate more job opportunities to the unemployed youth in the region. He promised help in sanctioning 10 acres of land for setting up the MRPL Kaushal VIkas Kendra for the benefit of people of Dakshina Kannada.

Shri H Kumar, Managing Director, said MRPL is committed to support the National development schemes of Government of India and Smoke free village campaign and MRPL Kaushal Vikas Kendra are testimony to its commitment. He elaborated on the Skilling Programme announced earlier. 'The First Batch of 60 youth will be trained in partnership with NTTF in two trades: Industrial Electrician and CNC Operator-Turning', he said. All expenses including food, lodging, tutorial expenses, clothing in the form of uniform, will be borne by MRPL Kaushal Vikas Kendra (KVK), he said. On successful completion, Certificate will be issued and candidates with no mobility constraint will be placed by NTTF, he said. He also announced that MRPL has got the approval to launch a start-up fund of Rs.10 Crores which will be used to support the new ventures/ startups of the youth.

Earlier, Shri BHV Prasad, GM I/c HR welcomed the gathering. Shri Mahesh MP, Sr Mgr-HR briefed about the MRPL's Kaushal Vikas Kendra and Shri Ravishankara K, Sr Mgr - Process Engg gave details on Saksham and Smoke Free Campaign of MRPL. Shri Harish Baliga, DGM-CSR proposed the Vote of Thanks and Smt.Veena Shetty, Mgr - CSR compered the programme.

Vice President of D.K.Zilla Panchayat, Presidents, PDOs and members of Soorinje and Chelairu grama Panchayats and MRPL employees participated in the program.