Goa's Art & Culture Dept sets up world record with 4 ISO certifications
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 10 August 2012 15:50 IST
Art and Culture Department of Goa government has bagged the biggest international honour of being the first government department in the world to achieve ISO certification in four different sectors.
These sectors are Social Accountability, Environment Management System, Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series and Energy Management System.
“The whole credit of this honour goes to my staff who has worked very hard and sincerely to achieve this honour”, says Prasad Lolayekar, Director of Art & Culture.
The Art & Culture department had already achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification earlier.
The four new ISO Certifications of International Standards are ISO 8000:2008 for Social Accountability, ISO 14001:2001 for Environment Management System, ISO 18001:2007 for Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series and ISO 5001:2011 for Energy Management System.
The department was audited by Guardian Independent Certification, U.K.
The department basically works in the field of preservation and promotion of art, folk art, drama, sculpture, handicraft, music etc and it has carved out a niche for itself.
In 2007, the department achieved ISO 9001:2000 audited by S.G. S. London and became first government department in Goa and first Art & Culture department in India to achieve this certificate.
In April 2010, department had enhanced its standard to ISO 9001:2008 proving its distinction.
Among the four certificated granted now, the Social Accountability 8000:2008 certifies prevention of child labour, forced labour and harassment of workers etc.
The Environment Management System ISO 14001:2001 is meant for developing and implementing environmental policy and managing environmental aspects.
The Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series 18001:2007 provides for giving better working environment for employees and safety of employees.
The Energy Management System ISO 5001:2011 certifies that the department is committed to protect people and environment by laying special emphasis on human health, operational safety, energy conservation, community goodwill etc.
Congratulations to the department!!! But frankly are these certifications the objective for which the department has started??? These things only audit if the processes are followed and do not certify the results. I think one needs to assess the working of the department if:
1. Is there a vision in the area of work the department is functioning?;
2. Is there a consistent effort on the part of the department in terms of creating and carrying forward the artists and making an effort to bestow upon the Goa its past glory where "THE WORLD SANG FROM THE THROAT OF GOA";
3. The department is only creating Event Managers and not the artists
So does it mean that the department has not done anything constructive??? NO I dont say that. I think the department needs to be lauded for ZERO CORUPTION. Probably the only government department in the world to be ZERO CORRUPTION DEPT.
It needs to be also lauded for the effort to encourage the artists.
But it has a major issue & that is it lacks vision and direction. There is no process to achieve this long term objective. There may be schemes but there lacks the soul.
But nonetheless kudos!!! to the depratment on its achievements.