Cauvery Delta Watch ONGC

Transparency
ONGC Claims: “Ranked 26 in 'Transparency in Corporate Reporting' among the world's 124
largest listed companies published by Transparency International, 2014 (Up from 39 in
2012). Corporate reporting is measured with Reporting on anti-corruption programmes,
Organisational transparency and Country-by-country reporting.” 40
Reality:
ONGC is a public authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005, but refuses to divulge
information.
ONGC has denied information sought under RTI Act. The Environmental Protection
Act and the Air and Water Acts stipulate that licenses issued under the acts (i.e.
Environmental Clearance, Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate) are public
information. ONGC has refused even this information claiming that the information
sought is “commercial confidence, trade secrets and intellectual property, the
disclosure of which would harm the competitive position” of ONGC.
One RTI applicant who sought routine information regarding ONGC's operations in
the delta districts was intimidated by officials from the Union Home Ministry's
Intelligence Bureau, probably based on a tip-off by ONGC. Even before ONGC's
response to RTI applications arrived, police from the Union Home Ministry's
Intelligence Bureau visited the address of the applicant in an attempt to intimidate
and harass the applicant. 41
Human Rights
ONGC Claims: “ONGC embraces and supports those ten principles, particularly that on the
Human Rights viz: “Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally
proclaimed human rights” and “Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights
abuses”. ONGC is fully committed to the principles of United Nations Global Compact on
human rights and subscribe to the international agreements/ conventions such as Kyoto
protocol, Montreal Protocol, UNCLOS (MMD), SOLAS and MARPOL within the framework of
Government of India directives.” 42
Reality:
There is clear evidence that ONGC is using its status as a Government of India-owned
company to bypass the law with impunity, and even rope in the police to intimidate citizens
who demand the enforcement of the law.
Nannilam, Thiruvarur: On 8 November, 2017, based on a complaint by an Assistant
General Manager (Cauvery Assets), ONGC, four villagers from Nannilam --
Anbuchelvan, Ravi, Thilak and Janakiraman were arrested and remanded under IPC
143, 448, 186, 353, 505 (1)B and Sec, 7(1)A Criminal Law Amendment Act. Section
143 pertains to punishment for Unlawful Assembly; 448 is Punishment for Trespass.
186 is obstruction of public servant in discharge of his/her duties. 353 is Assault or
Criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duties. 505(1)(B) pertains to
9 Illegal Business - The Real Story of ONGC's Operations in Cauvery Basin