NEW DELHI:
In a surprise move, Government has suspended ONGC’s Director (T&FS) Shashi Shankar for alleged irregularities in an unawarded Rs 23 crore tender, the first such action against the company’s official in more than two decades.
Shankar, who as the head of technology and field services (T&FS) annually handles at least Rs 15,000 crore of contracts for rigs and oilfield services, was suspended last evening for alleged irregularities in procurement tender of 21 blowout preventers (BOPs), the Oil Ministry said.
The tender, which was originally floated in 2008, hasn’t been awarded yet purportedly due to issues regarding technical competence of the lowest offer. Also, there was a representation from one MP, who is now a minister in the NDA Government, against the lowest bidder.
“Shashi Shankar, Director (T&FS), ONGC has committed gross misconduct while dealing with a tender for procurement of 21 Blowout Preventers (BOP). He has been associated with this tender as Group General Manager and officer on special duty (OSD) to Director (T&FS) and from January 1, 2012 as Director (T&FS),” the ministry said in a statement here.
It further said the Government has taken “strong note of the lapses” and ordered suspension of Shankar with immediate effect to “ensure fair and transparent inquiry”.
Shankar did not reply to phone calls made for comment.
Sources said Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) had in 2008 floated a tender for buying 21 BOPs, which are used to control and monitor oil and gas wells. Seven companies initially expressed interest but only three offers were received from Cameron France, Continent Project of Singapore and Worldwide Oilfield Machine (WOM) of Dubai in 2011. (AGENCIES)
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