Dated: 03-05-2017

The 2nd June of 2017 marked the historical day for the transition of Cachar Forward Base of
ONGC to Assam Arakan Fold Belt. This decision to transform the Cachar forward base into an
exploratory asset came on April 3rd this year and was formally announced amidst a
conglomeration of the trade union of ONGC workers in Cachar and top brass of ONGC on
Friday. The day was esteemed by the presence of the honorable Minister of PWD, Fisheries and
Excise, Assam, Mr. Parimal Shuklabaidya, who inaugurated the ceremony by lighting the lamp,
which was later followed by celebratory song and dance performances. The spirit of the day was
further beatified by the presence and participation of other notable dignitaries such as Shri
Radheshyam Biswas, MP, Karimgang; Mr. Ajay Kumar Dwivedi, Director of Exploration,
ONGC; Mr. Suresh Jandial, Executive Director, ONGC; Shri N.N. Thakur, Chairman, Silchar
Municipality Board; Shri M.C. Das, Srikona Exploratory Asset Manager, ONGC, along with
Mr.Supriyo Bhattachrya, VP and Salil Biswas, member of Kolkata Union of ONGC, who were
felicitated with shawls and bouquets.

Photo Courtesy: Monica Das

PWD Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya, while addressing the then present audience talked about
the resourcefulness of the valley and how well it can be utilized to achieve desirable ends. Happy
with the massive facelift at the ONGC the minister said, adding that from the days of bleak
possibilities and stagnant development, people of Barak Valley and Assam are now forging with
high hopes towards progress and prosperity. He also announced the Namami Barak to be held
this year, which shall commence the Inland Waterways navigation process in Barak Valley. As
an end note, he further expressed his sincere regards for the ongoing developmental efforts by
ONGC and advanced his best wishes for all its future endeavors.

AK Dwivedi, Director of Asset Exploration, ONGC said that the Cachar Forward Base
established in 1974, regardless of being a logistically difficult demography has come long way
forward, and now that it has officially gained its responsibility as an Exploratory Asset,
expectations from various stake holders will be high to transform this into a full-fleged
productivity asset by 2022. A lot of thought was put into the transformation of the Cachar
Forward Base into an Exploratory Asset. When the decision to transform the forward base was
taken, the argument was placed in the interest of the working force at the base that they are well
equipped to shoulder the responsibility. Now, the onus is on the people here to accelerate the
activity level in order to enhance the productivity level to accomplish the mission, the director
said. He then added that the management and the staff will have to go hand in hand with each
other to promote the asset and initiate a strong production drive which will ensure success
beyond hope and prosperity beyond possibility.

Karimganj MP Radheshyam Biswas spoke about the persistent efforts behind the much needed
technical transition and thanked the government for positive response towards the demand.
Considering the dire state of the unemployed youth in the valley, Mr. Biswas further laid a great
deal of stress on how such a facelift for a Forward Base as dedicated as ONGC Srikona can
change things for the valley people in respect to employment and training.

On the other hand, Mr.Ashok Baidya, General Secretary of Trade Union of ONGC, emphasized
on the idea of collective achievement through collective involvement. It is only by dint of
fearless exploration and dedicated production that we can meet all our organizational objectives
in no time and come out as a lucrative unit, thereby baffling all those who think otherwise, he
adds. Quoting our honorable Prime Minister Shri narendra Modi, Mr. Baidya further filled the
hearts of the audience with the zeal of Energize India, Energize North-East as proclaimed by
Sri Narendra Modi ji. To wrap it all up, he ends his talk by thanking the workers and the stake
holders for taking part in the function.

Submitted by:
Abhishek Roy
(Summer Intern, ONGC)