COVID-19: SAIL Chairman fills in motivation in the top executives

Rourkela: "If we aim for something with single-minded commitment there is no force in the world that can stop us from achieving it," said SAIL's Chairman Anil Kumar Chaudhary, while interacting with about 400 executives of SAIL – Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) in the ranks of E6 and above through web conferencing. Rourkela Steel Plant's CEO Dipak Chattaraj along with all the Executive Directors and Chief General Managers were present during the meeting.

Chaudhary in his address elaborated about the cyclic steel market as well as other external factors including Coronavirus (COVID-19) that had an adverse impact on the financials of the company in the fiscal year 2019-20. "We have curtailed our production by about 50 percent because of the Coronavirus pandemic and we also have a huge inventory. However, we have about 10 months left in the current fiscal and it would not be very difficult to bounce back if all of us make every possible effort," he said. The chairman reiterated that achieving cost competitiveness was the key to success and it was imperative for the employees to be made aware of various nuances of cost optimisation.    

Delving deep into the upcoming challenges, Chaudhary said, "Although there are very few orders now, there is a huge possibility of a surge in the demand for steel in the post lockdown period and we are also expecting export orders. Under these circumstances, everyone has to take up the ownership to bring back normalcy and ramp-up of production after lock-down."

Speaking about the employee-friendly attitude of the company, Chaudhary said that every effort is being made so that the employees should not be under any mental stress. In spite of the very tough financial situation, the company ensured that the salary of the employees was paid on the due date and also the welfare needs were met, he added.

The chairman praised RSP for achieving best-ever performance in several areas and elaborated about the areas where there is more scope to improve. Speaking about various steps taken by the company in general and RSP in particular to battle against the pandemic COVID-19, he lauded the doctors and paramedics of the medical and health services department of RSP for playing the role of frontline warriors and for setting up the Coronavirus testing centre, which is unique in SAIL. Emphasising on strict adherence of all the guidelines issued by the state and central governments pertaining to Coronavirus, the Chairman complemented the RSP collective for carrying out massive cleaning and sanitization of the Plant and the township and following the other norms.

Chaudhary also spoke about various learning points from the COVID-19 crisis and stressed on greater digitisation of the systems and processes.   

The highlight of the meeting was the free and frank interaction session that followed the Chairman's address, in which Chaudhary, elaborately answered every query raised by the executives pertaining to various aspects of the functioning of the Plant as well as the company.

The senior executives across the rank and files of the organisation participated in the lively interaction. Chaudhary went into the various nuances of each issue and responded in a transparent manner. Praising the dynamic leadership of CEO, RSP, Chairman said, "Chattaraj is steering RSP in these difficult times with positivity and by establishing a vibrant connection with the employees."

Thanking the Chairman for communicating with such a large group of executives and sharing his views and expectations, Chattaraj said that he has received all possible support from the SAIL Chief. The CEO also appraised the Chairman about the strategies being adopted by the Plant and constitution of committees to look after the expenditure control, revenue generation and optimisation of operation. "I am confident that my energetic and enthusiastic team will again rise to the occasion and fulfil the expectations of the SAIL management," said Chattaraj.