Once again showcasing itself as a socially responsible energy major, Mahratna ONGC has clinched the third position in Swachhata Pakhwada 2020. The results were declared on 14 December 2020, and Director (HR) Dr Alka Mittal received the certificate and award, on behalf of ONGC, from Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel Mr Dharmendra Pradhan.

Director (HR) Dr Alka Mittal receiving Swachhata Pakhwada 2020 certificate from Petroleum Minister

The results of Swachhata Pakhwada are analyzed in accordance to the maximum contributions of CPSEs towards the awareness on cleanliness and initiatives taken towards the cleanliness drive. Congratulating the CPSEs, Petroleum Minister Mr Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the importance of cleanliness, especially in the current scenario of pandemic crisis.

Following the guidelines of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), CPSEs across the industry observed the fortnightly Swachhata Pakhwada from 1 to 15 July 2020. Accordingly, ONGC, as a part of its observance, distributed over 42,000 hygienic kits and organized 45 internal and external competitions related to Swachhata awareness.

In view of the pandemic scenario across the globe, all Swachhata Pakhwada activities were organized by taking all necessary precautions on social distancing, wearing masks, etc. as stipulated under the instructions/guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Swachhata Pakhwada 2020 kick-started at ONGC on 1 July 2020, with all employees taking the E-pledge from work centers across the country. Activities during the fortnightly observation at ONGC included:

• Implementation of CSR projects addressing issues to tackle COVID-19 pandemic
• Sanitization drive in office premises and ONGC colonies
• Online Competition on alternatives for single use plastic in ONGC operated schools
• Distribution of masks and sanitizers in villages nearby operational areas
• Distribution of COVID hygiene kit to secondary workforce
• Sanitization drive in villages in operational areas
• Interaction of EC with work centers/installations on Swachhata and COVID-19 outbreak
• Cleanliness drive in sites/installations, ONGC colonies
• Plantation Drive
• Awareness program on curbing use of single use plastic
• Online awareness programs with collectives on Swachhata, COVID-19 and single use plastic
• IEC activities on Swachhata in operational areas Distribution of prizes

During Swachhata Pakhwada 2020, ONGC also organized webinars on key topics like Workplace Hygiene Management during COVID-19 Pandemic, Impact of ONGC Swachhata Programs: Civil Society perspectives, etc. During the webinar on “Impact of ONGC Swachhata Project: Civil Society Perspectives” organized on 14 July 2020, renowned experts from the NGO ecosystem of India praised the involvement of ONGC in supporting vital community development projects.