N Lal, Executive Director, ONGC Western Region handed over the cheque to Dr D N Shah, Dean, Medical College. Dr Sutapa Basu, Head of Forensic Department SSG Hospital and other senior doctors were also present on the occasion.This financial assistance will be utlized to procure air-conditioners, stretchers, water-tank, cupboard and other essential items for the postmortem room.

The Mahila Samiti of the ONGC, which is constantly working for development of lesser privileged people in the society, has sponsored one child of the Arpan Centre as a part of its activities. A handicapped child will now be able to get the necessary treatment and education and develop into an independent individual. The samiti also made a contribution of Rs 6,000 to the Cyclone Relief Fund.

The agenda for the new term of the samiti, which began this month, would be formulated under the leadership of Manjula Lal, the Regional Patron of the Mahila Samiti for socio-economic development programme. The emphasis would be on conducting medical camps in the rural and slum areas, rendering assistance to the handicapped and old age homes and distribution of books and stationary to schoolchildren belonging to the slum areas.

To combat the health menaces that accompany the monsoons, ONGC's paramedical wing has initiated a health and cleanliness drive. The programme will include disseminating information on precautionary measures against various diseases.

Under the aegis of the National Commission for Women, a Women Development Forum has been constituted recently at ONGC, Ankleshwar Project. The functions of the forum will include programmes for the welfare, training and development of women employees and improvement in their working conditions.It will include redressal of grievances of women employees including harassment too. The forum will also provide professional guidance and counselling to its members. Meetings and talks on women's issues, are also on the anvil.

A K Chakrabarti, Deputy Controller and Auditor General of India-cum-Chairman Audit Board visited the western regional business centre of ONGC at Vadodara. He was received by N Lal, Executive Director, Western Region, M G Taneja, General Manager (Finance) R C Tomar, Chief Auditor and other senior officials.

He was apprised about the development and financial programmes undertaken by the Western Region with special emphasis on the on-going Gandhar Development Project.