Concern over fincial crisis at mrup Fertilizer

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH, July 22: mrup Fertilizer Workers’ Union (NFWU) general secretary Tileswar Tanti has called upon Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal, Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Dibrugarh MP Rameswar Teli and the concerned departmental heads to intervene in the ongoing fincial crisis at the 2nd and 3rd production unit of mrup Fertilizer.  

Tanti in a press communiqué stated that commercial production at the now-defunct 2nd production unit started in the year  1971 while  production  work in the 3rd unit  started in the year 1987,  which together annually  contributes  a  total share of  3-4 lakh metric tons of fertilizer to the agricultural sector of the country.  In spite of this, since last month, production at the 2nd unit has been closed, even though both the Units, gets 1.72 MMSCMD Gas from Oil India Limited.

Hence,   due to day to day production loss of 400 metric ton at the 2nd Unit,   profitable loss at mrup Fertilizer is being calculated at Rupees 18-19 crores.  Consequently, the 3rd unit which is dependent of the 2nd unit for its production is also facing severe economic losses.  

Meanwhile, the Fertilizer Unit being deprived of Government subsidy lacks support from the authorities of Oil India Ltd, regarding supply of tural gas to the production units, which puts a big question mark on the future existence of the fertilizer unit.

Due to uvailability of cash , salaries and other expenses of the employees and  200-300 temporary workers of the 2nd Unit  are being held up , which has consequently  brought immense social and economic hardships to the lives of  such depressed employees and workers’  of  mrup Fertilizer, said  NFWU  general secretary Utpal Dutta.