Rao has assigned this task to the Management Services and the HRD Dept, which constitute an experienced group for coordination and other supports. Due to such supports, the quality circles are not only regularly participating in the State and National Level Competition and receiving prizes/awards, but are also involved in propagating the QC movement to other industries. The QCs either visit them or arrange their visits to Gujarat Refinery to witness Case Study Presentations to enable them to start QC activities in their industries.

This year, the Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) organised the Xth Gujarat State Level Convention on GCs at the General Education Auditorium, M.S. University, Vadodara on 29th and 30th September '99. In all, 27 QCs participated in the competition. These were selected from an Internal QC Competition organised in Gujarat Refinery.

Out of the 27 QCs, in the case study presentation in the State Level Competition, QCFI recognised seven QCs by giving trophies, awards and prizes. A panel of three judges was constituted by the QCFI for evaluation of the QC's Case Study presentation.

Of the seven winners, three circles from Gujarat Refinery -- Ankur, Cruiser and Lakshya -- bagged top prizes in manufacturing, visual and support services streams respectively.

Based on this competition, and the quidelines from the QCFI Headquareters, the QCFI Vadodara Chapter would select QCs to participate at the National level competition to be held at Durgapur, West Bengal, in Dec '99. It is expected that the three award-winning QCs of Gujarat Refinery would participate in the National Convention.