GUWAHATI: The 80th Independence Day was observed in a subdued manner at ONGC Assam Asset in Nazira, in the backdrop of the severe floods that recently affected the region and disrupted normal life as well as operations of the oil major.
Executive Director cum Asset Manager Uday Paswan hoisted the tricolour and addressed the gathering. He began his address by reciting lines from noted Assamese poet Hiren Bhattacharyya’s iconic poem Mor Desh.
Recalling the unprecedented floods of July 19, Paswan said the Assam Asset had faced flooding on a scale that few could have imagined, with colonies submerged and floodwaters reaching neck-deep levels in many areas. The floods disrupted fields, affected rigs and installations, severely impacted families and also affected production.
However, he said the crisis also brought out the solidarity and collective strength of the ONGC family. Employees and their families stood by one another, while ONGC teams worked to protect installations and extend assistance to the surrounding communities.
Highlighting ONGC’s role beyond its operational activities, Paswan said the organisation had immediately stepped forward with relief and support for flood-affected people. Assam Asset, along with its employees, Collectives and Mahila Samitis, had reached out to more than 12,000 flood-affected families by distributing essential relief materials and conducting medical camps.
“ONGC remains firmly committed to support Assam and its communities through recovery and rebuilding,” Paswan said, adding that the company had committed Rs 25 crore to support flood-affected people in the state.
The assistance includes Rs 5 crore to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and Rs 20 crore for restoration of flood-affected schools in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. Paswan said ONGC had given its commitment to the Chief Minister of Assam to support the restoration of all flood-affected schools in the two districts.
He further said the unprecedented floods had caused significant damage to Assam Asset’s own facilities, with restoration estimated at approximately ₹175 crore. Despite the extensive damage, he reiterated ONGC’s commitment to stand with Assam during the recovery and rebuilding process.