Vigilance is a continuous practice, not a periodic observance: NALCO CMD

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, NOVEMBER 5, 2025

“Vigilance is not merely about preventing wrongdoing; it is about fostering a culture where honesty and fairness guide every action and decision,” said Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), as the Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines observed Vigilance Awareness Week 2025 across its operations. Singh underscored that vigilance must be a continuous practice rather than a periodic observance, serving as a cornerstone for organizational credibility and stakeholder trust.

NALCO, aligning with the national theme “Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility,” marked the week with a host of awareness activities, competitions, and outreach programs designed to reinforce the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability in public and corporate life. From engaging school and college students to involving employees across all units and regional offices, the company’s initiatives highlighted its commitment to building a culture of ethical governance.

A major highlight of the observance was the Elocution Competition held at NALCO’s Corporate Office in Bhubaneswar, which drew enthusiastic participation from more than 250 students representing around 70 schools and colleges from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Similar competitions and interactive sessions were conducted among employees to encourage vigilance-minded behaviour and ethical decision-making in the workplace.

The week-long observance culminated with a valedictory ceremony held on November 4 at NALCO’s Corporate Office auditorium in Bhubaneswar. The event was graced by Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, I&PR and Industries Department and Chairman, IPICOL, Government of Odisha, as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished dignitaries present included CMD Brijendra Pratap Singh, Director (Production) Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Director (P&T) Jagdish Arora, Director (HR) Dr. Tapas Kumar Pattanayak, Director (Finance) Abhay Kumar Behuria, and Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) Pranabjyoti Nath.

CVO Pranabjyoti Nath opened the ceremony by outlining the series of awareness activities undertaken during the week. He lauded the enthusiasm of employees, students, and stakeholders in embracing the spirit of vigilance and ethical conduct. Nath stressed that collective responsibility is key to nurturing a transparent and accountable work environment.

Chief Guest Hemant Sharma, in his address, praised NALCO for its integrity-driven performance and for being a model public sector enterprise that balances profitability with responsibility. “NALCO stands as a shining example of how resources, when managed with integrity and efficiency, can drive sustainable national progress,” Sharma said. He further added that credibility is built from within an organization, and empowering employees with values of transparency and accountability leads to both ethical strength and economic success.

The valedictory function concluded with the presentation of awards to winners of various competitions, followed by a reaffirmation of NALCO’s dedication to good governance and sustainable growth through ethical practices.

It is noteworthy that, in line with the Vigilance Awareness Week theme, NALCO has been observing a three-month-long awareness campaign since August 18, 2025, aimed at deepening its culture of vigilance, integrity, and ethical behaviour across all levels of the organization.