The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests has given the green signal to two long-pending projects submitted by the Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT).
Clearances were sought and received for capacity augmentation of the nitro-phosphate fertiliser plant at the Cochin division by 1,000 tonnes a day to 3,000 tonnes and for expanded phosphoric acid storage facility at 6,500 tonnes.
The Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar, who made the announcement here on Friday, said the clearances underlined the urgency with which the Narendra Modi-led government wanted to address the issues facing the fertiliser sector.
He said the clearances came in the first month of the Modi government, which has set the goal of achieving self-reliance in fertiliser production in the country. The Union government had also set its eyes on announcing a fertiliser policy and restoring the balance soil nutrients, he said.
‘Positive start’Meanwhile, trade union leaders representing the workers at FACT welcomed the Minister’s statement and said it was a positive start.
Save FACT Action Committee spokesperson George Thomas said the workers at FACT were enthused by the Minister’s visit and they welcomed his comments on the Centre’s future course of action. The workers had great expectations for the future, he added.
On his arrival at the petro-chemicals division of FACT, the Minister was given an enthusiastic welcome by the workers. He wished and shook hands with many of the workers and also watched a mock safety drill.
Later, he was given a guard of honour by members of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at the FACT guest house. The Minister also planted a mango tree sapling on the guest house premises.
