Question : Irregularities at NMDC

(a) whether irregularities in award of tender in National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) have been reported and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether some representations have also been received with respect to alleged irregularities in award of tenders by NMDC and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Government has taken action against these irregularities and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) the details of action proposed by the Government for transparency in award of tenders by NMDC and to root out corruption therein?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)

(a)to(c): Two references regarding irregularities in award of tender by NMDC for Inter Plant Pipeline and Gas Mixing & Boosting Station at Nagarnar Iron and Steel Plant (NISP), Nagarnar have been received in the Ministry. The matter is under further examination in consultation with Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO), NMDC Ltd. and Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

(d) For ensuring transparency in award of tenders, NMDC generally floats tenders in Global/Open tender mode in e-Procurement mode by posting tenders in the NMDC website, Central Procurement Portal (CP Portal) with wide publicity in leading news papers. NMDC has approved the Contract Manual comprising of standard procedures and guidelines for transparency and to prevent the irregularities in the process. NMDC has signed MoU with the Transparency International and has introduced Integrity Pact (IP) in all the Contracts whose value is more than Rs.20 crores. It has adopted policy on ‘Banning of Business Dealings with Agencies’.

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