OPGC signs integrity pact

BHUBANESWAR: Jumping on  the anti-corruption bandwagon,  Orissa Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) on Tuesday became the first State-owned PSU in the country to adopt a special Integrity Pact tool developed by Transparency International, to ensure that all activities and transactions between the company and their suppliers and contractors are dealt in a fair, transparent and corruption-free manner.  The power generation company signed an MoU with Transparency International India in the presence of Minister for Finance and Public Enterprise Prafulla Ghadai and Energy Minister Atanu Sabayasachi Nayak.   OPGC Managing Director Venkatachalam K signed the agreement with Transparency International India Chairman PS Bawa.   As per the agreement, OPGC will appoint competent and credible Independent External Monitor (IEM) in consultation with TII to review independently and objectively, whether and to what extent the parties comply with the obligations for transparent operations. Speaking on the occasion, Energy Minister Nayak expressed hope that the tool will usher in transparency and transformation in the operations.  Prafulla Ghadai stressed the need to properly implement this programme and periodical review has to be done by OPGC for consistent improvement.  OPGC is operating a 2x210 MW power station at Ib Thermal Power Station, Banharpalli, in Jharsuguda district and pursuing project development activities for capacity addition of 2x660 MW in the facility. It is also developing a captive coal block in Sundergarh district.