New Delhi: Even as state-run PSUs involved in providing essential services have ensured the delivery and availability of these services in their respective sectors during the nationwide COVID lockdown and its aftermath, the employees at these organisations have also borne the brunt of being at the forefront of the battle. Especially in the oil and gas sector, PSUs like IOC (Indian Oil Corporation), BPCL (Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd) and ONGC (Oil & Natural Gas Corporation) have kept operations going on, made fuel and LPG cylinders available at the doorstep of consumers, but at the same time, have seen a rise in confirmed COVID cases in their organisations.
While no official figures are available on the same, figures provided by sources, who have spoken to PSU Watch on the condition of anonymity, has shown that locations across the country have been reporting confirmed cases of COVID and related deaths. Questions in this regard have been sent to ONGC, IOC and BPCL and this story will be updated whenever a response is received.
According to sources, ONGC, which is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil that falls under the category of essential service, has so far allegedly reported around 125 Coronavirus positive cases so far. The cases have been reported from Baroda, Ankleshwar, Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Delhi. One of the sources quoted above said that the latest COVID-positive case reported at ONGC is that of its CMO (Chief Medical Officer) and it poses a grave risk because he had been attending meetings with ONGC CMD Shashi Shanker and other directors of the company just days before he was detected COVID positive.
Sources at IOC said that the oil marketing company has 60 active COVID cases and had more people infected earlier who have recovered. Another source said that the company has spent generously on making masks and other hygiene products available to employees in the field.
Sources have alleged that there were a total of 20 positive Coronavirus cases at Mumbai Refinery, out of which three people have died. If one is to include the death of a contractual employee, the total death toll stands at four at the Mumbai location. Eight people are currently undergoing treatment for the infection, while nine people have recovered. In Faridabad, one Coronavirus positive case was found at Piyali LPG bottling plant in Faridabad. Thereafter, samples of 15-16 employees have been sent for testing after contact-tracing.
(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Telegram. Join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram and stay updated)