Machinomatic defends Oil India pump deal

Vol 27, PW 7 (04 Apr 24) People & Policy
 

Machinomatic Engineers has hit back at allegations of wrong-doing when supplying pumps to Oil India as the representative of US-based Wanner Hydra-Cell Pumps.

On March 11 (2024), Oil India chairman Ranjit Rath and director operations Pankaj Goswami received a two-page anonymous email - seen by this report - alleging that an Oil India field engineering department officer in Duliajan favoured Wanner for "monetary benefits and perks." Responding to a request for comment, Mumbai-based Machinomatic chief Karan Mansukhani replied that "the (anonymous) email appears to be motivated and based on assumptions and presumptions, making 100% false and frivolous allegations."

Adds Mansukhani: "It is clear that the sender does not want Oil India to place orders with any other supplier except the sender of the email." Mansukhani stresses that making false allegations against an "honest (Oil India) officer (name withheld)" is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly.

"We are confident that Oil India would certainly take necessary action against the said anonymous sender of the email for making false allegations and spoiling the name of the company," says Mansukhani. He adds that such anonymous emails sent with an ulterior motive "should not be taken seriously."

More, the sender has "vaguely stated that if required, a complaint would be filed through a Member of Parliament (MP)." But Mansukhani believes using the word MP is meant only to make recipients take the email seriously.

Mansukhani asks why the sender is not lodging a complaint with Oil India directly. And why does it need to go through an MP? "Please note that we are Indian representatives of Wanner for over 25 years," stresses Mansukhani.

"The pumps supplied by our supplier (Wanner Hydra-Cell Pumps) are the best pumps, and only after proper scrutiny by Oil India have orders been placed." He continues that Oil India was ordering Wanner sealless pumps long before the said Oil India manager took charge, as these are the "best pumps and also cost-effective with zero leakage (of hazardous liquids like condensate and crude oil)."

Oil India did not respond to a request for comment.