New Delhi, Dec 20 The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is organising the "ICSI National Award For Excellence in Corporate Governance" award function for 2008 here today.

Vice President Hamid Ansari will be the chief guest. Prem Chand Gupta, Minister for Corporate Affairs will be the guest of honour.

Two best-governed companies will be presented the Award. The Award, comprising of citation and trophy, is meant to celebrate the collective excellence, to be able to identify the best among the excellent, the first among equals.

Justice Ramesh Chandra Lahoti, Former Chief Justice of India, is the Chairman of Jury for adjudging the best among corporate citizens in India for the ICSI National Award for the Year 2008.

CSI Life Time Achievement Award 2008 will also be presented to a corporate personality for translating excellence in Corporate Governance into reality.

Some of the eminent members of the Jury include Naresh Chandra, Former Cabinet Secretary, T.K. Arun, Editor - Economic Times, Dr. M.B. Athreya, Management Consultant, Delhi and Former Prof. IIM, Kolkata, Dr. K.C. Chakrabarty, CMD, Punjab National Bank, Rajiv Chandrasekhar, President, FICCI, Shri Y.C. Deveshwar, Chairman, ITC Ltd., Dr. J.J. Irani, Chairman, Tata Sons Ltd., Sajjan Jindal, President, ASSOCHAM, Ravi Narain, MD and CEO, NSE Ltd., Rajnikant Patel, Former MD and CEO, Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. and the Industry Captains.

The Jury, comprising of a galaxy of eminent personalities from government, corporates, academicians and indian corporate leaders of fortune 500 companies, has already finalised the award for two best governed companies.

The company secretaries of the awardee companies will also be honoured for their contribution. (ANI)