In the last few days you might have noticed the various advisories and changes to protocols that are initiated to ensure better hygiene at our work stations. It is a matter of immense satisfaction that all employees have been active participants in our fight against the spread of COVID-19.
These are unprecedented times and the coming days/weeks are going to be very important in preventing community spread of the virus. Therefore, I call upon you to continue your support by way of adherence to the advisories that are shared through formal channels of communication, time to time.
As a backbone to India’s gas economy, GAIL needs to continue its dedicated efforts to the nation by maintaining uninterrupted supplies of our products and services while also rising up to adhere to various measures related to ensuring social distancing in our fight against the virus outbreak. At this extraordinary moment, I bank upon your cooperative and collective effort in meeting this twin challenge.
Learning from other countries shows that measures such as regular hand washing and social distancing are proving to be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The initiatives communicated by the HR Department in recent days are towards ensuring this very purpose. For a company that places high importance on work place ethics and SOPs, I am sure that additional safe practices at our offices for securing our good health and also of others around would not at all be difficult to incorporate and adhere.
Your Health and Safety are of paramount importance and GAIL management stands firmly towards safeguarding the wellbeing of all employees and associated workforce at this crucial juncture. Under the direct supervision of Director (HR) a committed team is coordinating all efforts to ensure on ground implementation of the various measures against the spread of COVID-19. There is absolutely no reason for panic. In case of any queries in this regard, the designate local and corporate level teams shall be available to provide appropriate assistance.
Today as fellow citizens, we GAILians are steadfastly observing ‘Janata Curfew’ while also maintaining essential services to our consumers. Given this indomitable spirit of lending support to various protocols and compliances, I am convinced that our meticulous approach will ensure our victory at war against COVID-19.
I wish you and your family safety and good health, always.
I congratulate you and your family for the remarkable efforts undertaken in protecting yourselves from contracting the COVID-19 strains. It gives me immense happiness to note that there has so far been not a single reported case of COVID positive employee in the ‘GAIL Parivar’. This is indeed a significant achievement for all of us in having adhered to safety and due precautions towards prevention of the communicable disease.
You must be glad to know that our untiring colleagues stationed at various sites are working round the clock to maintain uninterrupted and safe transmission of LPG & natural gas supply to the crucial downstream utilities in sectors. Kudos!, for supporting steady operations of essential services such as- Fertilizer, Power, Refineries and City Gas Distribution, in the country. This is a remarkable effort dedicated to the nation’s cause. The timely support extended by the employees operating from their home in the current circumstances is also very admirable. It is a matter of whopping pride that GAIL-ians have stood out successfully to support the country in these trying moments.
The nation-wide lockdown condition has been a proactive measure initiated by the Government of India to protect life while enabling continuity of essential services. This rearrangement has led to a reduction of about 30% in the gas offtake as several of our industrial consumers are reported to have either reduced offtake or closed their operations, temporarily. GAIL, Pata maintained production of petrochemicals up to the beginning of the current month and thereafter, faced with very low availability of supporting logistics and consequent increase in polymer product inventory, we decided to suspend production till the situation turns for the better. We now intend to restore partial production to keep up with the demand of some of the moving grades, very soon.
On an overall assessment of the situation, we are confident of returning to normalcy w.r.t. recouping sales of gas and polymers soon after the lockdown is lifted in the country. We have also planned contingency measures to catch-up on the projects execution side to ensure timely completion at the various sites. The company’s management is reviewing matters on day to day basis, at company level and remains engaged with all the site offices. Alongside, regular interactions with the nodal Ministry and key stakeholders are maintained for resolving some of the issues requiring support for resuming full-fledged activities, post the phase of lockdown.
In these unprecedented times, it is also heartening to note that many of you are keenly pursuing various learning modules created by HRD/GTI/Projects group to update your skillsets. I recommend you to maintain this enthusiastic spirit and productively use the precious time.
You must be aware of Hon’ble Prime Minister’s announcement, yesterday, about the decision to continue lockdown protocols till May 3rd, 2020. Based on the review by the 20th of this month, HR directorate would keep you informed on further guidelines as well as the next course of action for resuming commute to office especially for those of us currently working from home.
The ‘Aarogya Setu’ app backed by the Union Health Ministry is a tool equipped to track and monitor on real time basis COVID-19 susceptibility level of the registered user and also provide appropriate guidance on the required course of action. I am informed that most of you have already embraced the technology and I take this opportunity to urge the rest of you to utilize the app for protecting yourself and your loved ones around.
This phase of fighting the pandemic to keep ourselves from harm’s way is extremely crucial. I earnestly believe that continuing with the safety tips of frequently washing our hands and social distancing along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle would ensure our victory over the contagion, soon.
As I applaud your resilience and spirited attitude of keeping away the COVID-19 affliction, I urge you to be more watchful and not let down your guard in the days ahead.
Stay Safe and Healthy!