RSP donates Rs 1 crore to Odisha CM s Relief Fund for fight against COVID-19

Bhubaneswar, Apr 24 () The Rourkela Steel Plant(RSP) has donated Rs one crore to the Odisha Chief MinistersRelief Fund for strengthening its fight against the COVID-19pandemic.

A cheque for the amount was handed over to NikhilPavan Kalyan, Collector, Sundargarh by Raj Vir Singh,Executive Director (P&A), RSP on Friday, RSP said in astatement.

Speaking about the initiative, Dipak Chattaraj, CEO ofRSP said the steel plant is committed to make every possibleeffort to prevent the spread of Coronavirus and is steadfastin its support to the state and central governments in thisendeavour.

Recently under the guidance of the Minister ofPetroleum and Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan, andwith the support of Government of Odisha, RSP has establisheda COVID-19 sample testing centre at its Ispat General Hospital(IGH). The centre is catering to the entire Sundargarhdistrict and making a significant contribution in quickidentification and containing of the disease, it said.

Earlier, RSP has also given 5 ventilators for use inHiTech Hospital, the exclusive COVID Centre of Rourkeladeveloped by Odisha Government. Isolation facility and somebeds in ICU have been kept ready at Ispat General Hospital.Some accommodations have been kept reserved for quarantinefacilities.

The steel plant management is working in tandem withthe local authorities in taking various preventive andproactive measures. A massive drive has been undertaken toclean and sanitize the entire steel township as well as everydepartment of the plant.

Wearing of masks by every employee as well as contractworker has been made mandatory, while social distancing isbeing maintained at every point of time. Stock of medicinesand other consumables is being monitored on a day to day basisand special procurement is being made. Masks and sanitizer arebeing distributed.

During the lockdown period production from the planthas been scaled down and more than 50 per cent of employeesfrom various departments are being allowed to work from home.Staggered working and work from home for pregnant employeesand persons with critical health condition have been intoeffect. Hand washing and thermal checking systems have beenin place in different entry gates and units.

As part of the Annadaan initiative, RSP is providingcooked food to the poor and needy in various sectors and slumareas of Rourkela. So far about 10,000 food packets have beendistributed. An intensive awareness campaign is going on inthe plant using print, outdoor and social media as well in thetownship to make everyone aware and alert about the Dos andDonts regarding the disease, it added. SKNRG RG