Concerns Among Employees
Dibrugarh, Nov 22: Employees at Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd (BVFCL) are expressing worries regarding the company’s future as plans for a new 12 lakh-MT factory are underway at its Namrup site in Dibrugarh district.
They have raised alarms that the government may be moving towards shutting down BVFCL, referencing high-level discussions this month aimed at advancing a previous decision to close or divest several identified central public sector enterprises (CPSEs).
Tileswar Bora, president of the Namrup Fertilizer Protection United Forum, stated, “The government is sending mixed signals. While there are sporadic reassurances about Namrup-IV, they are simultaneously preparing documents for closure.”
Employee concerns were heightened following a letter from the Department of Fertilizers dated November 13, which reportedly indicates that the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) is drafting a note for the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) regarding CPSEs marked for closure or divestment.
BVFCL’s CMD, Mohan Raj Shetty, expressed optimism about the corporation’s prospects, citing improved performance. “This is an old directive from 2022. A meeting was held at the secretary level, but we were not included. Our performance has significantly improved this year, with positive quarterly and half-yearly results,” he noted.
BVFCL, which was recommended for closure or divestment on August 12, 2022, is the only urea manufacturing facility in the Northeast, and its condition is reportedly worsening. Bora has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for immediate intervention, warning that the third plant could face closure if the situation persists.
Additionally, officials confirmed that two recruitment processes—one for management trainees and another for various technical positions—have been suspended indefinitely. Bora, who also advises the Namrup Fertilizer Labor Union, remarked, “This is a clear indication. Why halt hiring for essential roles if the plant has a future? They are depriving the company of necessary manpower, which could later be used to justify declaring it unviable.”
The recent correspondence also requests detailed information about BVFCL’s fertilizer units—Namrup I, II, and III—including commissioning dates, production statistics, and other closure or divestment-related details. Information regarding the Namrup IV plant has also been requested.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to lay the foundation stone for the fourth unit in December. This new facility is being established as a separate entity, Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Ltd (AVFCCL), a joint venture formed in July 2025, involving the Assam government, Oil India Limited (OIL), National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Limited (HURL), and BVFCL.
BVFCL, which operates under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, was established on April 5, 2002, following the separation of Namrup units from Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited (HFCL).
Shetty concluded, “We must keep the momentum going to sustain our hopes. We are performing well and expect to finish with positive results.”
