DIBRUGARH, March 8 � Going by the deteriorating condition of the Namrup-based Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd, the Namrup Fertilizer Shramik Union (NFSU) has reminded the Prime Minister about the dismal state of the fertilizer plants and sought his immediate intervention for the sustenance of the lone gas-based chemical industry for the greater interest of the people.
The labour union submitted a reminder to the Prime Minister through the Dibrugarh Deputy Commissioner to acquaint him of the burning problem of the plants on February 26. The union had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister on October 9, 2009.
The Sharamik Union mentioned in the memorandum that the existing plant II and III were commissioned in 1976 and 1987 and that the plants and machinery were becoming very old and obsolete in the present market.
Lack of revamp measures, and non-clearance of proposals for revitalizing the production efficiency of the outdated plants of the company is leading to near closure of the important fertilizer industry of the Northeast. The unit I, which was set up in 1969, has already been shut.
Considering the ageing of the existing plants of the company, former Union Cabinet Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ram Vilas Paswan announced to set up a new grass root plant during his visit to Namrup Fertilizer Industry on June 26, 2006 but no positive initiatives has emerged so far, the union told the Prime Minister.
Moreover, due to non-revision of wages, the existing skilled and expert manpower of the company have been switching over to sound companies with fat pay packets and perks, the leaders of the shramik union said. The fertilizer plant, which accommodated about 4000 workers during its inception has hardly 1200 workers now, Tileshwar Bora, general secretary of the union told media persons today.