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A Correspondent
Numaligarh: It has been more than a week since media reports created sensation and nationwide protest erupted over the Central Government’s move of handing over Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to private player and the consequent private investment in Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL) wherein BPCL is the largest shareholder having 61.65 per cent share in the refinery.
After the recent massive protest across the State by various organizations, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal dashed off a letter to the Central Government on Tuesday over the issue stating that if BPCL was privatized, NRL would go into the hands of private companies. After the CM’s letter to the Central Government, organizations continue to demonstrate protest over the alleged conspiracy of privatization of NRL.
The government has already started the process for inviting top global oil and gas giants to bid for its stake in Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) along with other PSUs enlisted for disinvestment by DIPAM (Department of Investment and Public Asset Management) under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
On Tuesday, the Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) Golaghat district committee and Bokakhat district committee, in collaboration with AJYCP Paschim Morangi regional committee, staged strong mass protest at the main gate of NRL against the government’s move to privatize Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. Thousands of protesters, including students, also carried out a protest rally from Bishnupur area to the main gate of NRL, holding placards and raising slogans on NH-39.
“NRL is not just a refinery, it was established as per the clause of the Assam Accord of 1985 which was signed as a result of the Assam Agitation where 855 youths attained martyrdom. Therefore, the NRL becomes not only a symbol of sentiments, but also a matter of deep emotion for the people of Assam and the Northeast,” said Polash Changmai, secretary of AJYCP central committee stated. The protesters also raised slogans condemning the government’s decision to privatize the core public sector units (PSUs) of India.
On Monday, hundreds of protestors from the Contractors and Sub-contractors Association also staged protest by blocking the entrance of Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. The protesters raised slogans against the privatization of NRL. The protesters were seen shouting slogans and holding placards against the government. They warned the Modi government of strong democratic actions and protests in future.
NRL is a profit-making company and paid Rs 13,000 crore to the Central and State governments as tax and other duties in the last three years. It also paid a dividend of Rs 1,300 crore to the shareholders in last three years while earning a profit of Rs 3,000 crore.