Guwahati, June 3: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has issued a detailed response following a recent sit-in protest by members of the ONGC Purbanchal Employees’ Association (OPEA) at its Assam Asset headquarters in Nazira, Sivasagar district.
The company has refuted allegations regarding halted recruitment and medical benefit cuts, while reaffirming its commitment to local hiring and sustained community investment.
The protest, which escalated from black badge demonstrations to a full sit-in starting May 21, was temporarily suspended on May 29 after ONGC invited union leaders for a meeting scheduled on June 8.
OPEA president Biswajit Chaliha has demanded the resumption of a recruitment process reportedly halted since 2023, the reinstatement of overtime allowances, and the regularisation of long-serving temporary employees.
Chaliha claimed that nearly 300 regular posts approved in 2022 for Nazira, Jorhat, and Silchar units have seen no follow-up action.
Addressing these concerns, ONGC stated in an official release that the overtime payment in question was “not admissible” under company policy. It also clarified that reports about discontinued medical facilities were misleading—the shift from direct credit to a reimbursement model was implemented to curb misuse, not eliminate the benefit.
Despite operational losses driven by low output and high manpower costs, ONGC emphasized its continued investment in Assam, particularly through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. The company cited the Siu-Ka-Pha Hospital in Sivasagar as a flagship example of its healthcare support, alongside initiatives in education, infrastructure, and skill development.
The company acknowledged the current friction but stressed that reforms are designed to ensure long-term sustainability. “Dialogue channels remain open, and we are committed to constructive engagement,” the release added.
