11-December, 2014. The Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Ananth Kumar said six to seven fertilizer manufacturing facilities are to boost domestic production over the next five years. He said this at the conference of Fertilizer Association of India (FAI) that concluded in New Delhi today. Shri Ananth Kumar said this will be done through a mixture of new units and revival of closed sites to augment the country`s existing capacity.
He also assured the industry that government will clear fertilizer subsidy arrears within a month. Shri Ananth Kumar also assured that various issues relating to the Fertilizer Sector would be addressed at the earliest.
“For the last one decade, the country has not seen a new fertilizer plant but the Prime Minister has now told us that we should strictly follow the principle of ‘Make In India’. Accordingly we are going to start and revive at least 6-7 fertiliser plants in next 5 years in both public and private sectors,” he said at the conference.
At present, about eight units of state-owned FCIL and HFCL are closed. The ministry is working on reviving the five closed plants of the Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd (FCIL) and Hindustan Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd (HFCL).
The Fertilizers Ministry is seeking increased supply of gas for urea manufacturing plants. It has also asked Oil Ministry to explore the possibility of gas pipeline from Phulpur to Haldia, the minister pointed out and that this can lead to revival of five closed plants.
Shri Hansraj Gangaram Ahir, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers complimented FAI and its Board of Directors and the members of the Fertilizer Industry fraternity for their continuous service for Indian agriculture and making fertilizers available to the farmers.
The two day conference was also graced by Secretary, Department of Fertilizers, Shri J.K. Mohapatra, Chairman, FAI Shri S.S. Nandurdikar, and Shri Satish Chander, Director General, FAI among others.
