The Nalco Employees’ Association has alleged a malicious campaign to damage the company’s reputation by some vested interest people.
Though the campaign is alleging irregularities in the tender process for purchase of caustic soda, actually the tender process is done as per the standing guidelines, it stated.
“Caustic soda is one of the essential items for Nalco’s alumina refinery.
In 2014-15, to reduce the lead time to avoid delay in the purchase of caustic soda for the refinery, the Nalco authorities had taken few policy decisions, wherein a provision was made for purchase of caustic soda through two-stage global tendering.
The tender procedure was followed and approved as per the CVC guidelines.
However, on receiving certain allegation on tendering, it was duly investigated both by the departmental Vigilance and Ministry Vigilance, which found the system to be in order.
Subsequently, on request of Ministry of Mines, the former Chief Justice of Supreme Court had also examined the case and in his report had mentioned that the new system introduced by Nalco is as per Supreme Court guidelines and there is no violation as such,” it said.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the association, terming the allegations as "baseless and malicious,” has lodged a written complaint against these vested interest persons and filed defamation suit of Rs 5 crore for defamatory activities and spoiling the goodwill and image of the company.
