Bharatiya Bikash Parishad Holds Protest Outside NALCO Bhavan In Bhubaneswar Alleging Corruption

Bhubaneswar: Activists of Bharatiya Bikash Parishad staged a demonstration outside the headquarters of National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) in Bhubaneswar alleging rampant corruption in the Navaratna CPSE.

A large number of protesters gathered in front of NALCO Bhavan holding placards and banners demanding immediate steps to put an end to alleged corruption in the aluminium giant.

The demonstrators also demanded concrete steps to take stringent action against those involved in financial irregularities.

Speaking to reporters, president of the organisation Surendra Panigrahi alleged that top officials of the company including its CMD and directors were indulging in corrupt practices causing huge loss to the CPSE.

He claimed that mining contractor whose contract had earlier been cancelled following allegation of irregularities was again awarded work without any proper tender process.

Panigrahi further alleged that Rs 10,000 crore tender was given to the firm in a fraudulent manner in connivance with central government officials ten per cent money was collected in advance in an illegal manner.

Alleging largescale corruption in recruitment in the company, he claimed that appointment was made for posts of officers in different departments in January this year, without proper selection process by collecting huge amount of money through wives of senior executives.

Panigrahi demanded that the contract awarded to the mining firm and appointments made be cancelled forthwith and action taken against those involved in irregularities.

He further alleged that some company officials along with family visited Hyderabad to attend a private function for which huge amount of NALCO money was spent illegally. These officials must be dismissed and arrested immediately, he said.

The demonstrators said that complaints have been lodged with PMO’s PG cell, CVC, Lokpal, Union Mining Secretary and others, but no action has been initiated so far. They further alleged that bureaucrats and politicians are helping the corrupt executives in the company.

Senior officials of Nalco were not immediately available for comment on the allegations.

It may be recalled that NALCO had also been under the lens earlier in 2022 for alleged irregularities and favouritism in granting contract worth Rs 225 crore to a private company for construction of Red Mud Pond-2 at Damanjodi in Koraput.

Also Read: Red Mud Pond-2 Construction: Nalco Under Cloud Over Grant of Rs 225-Cr Tender