Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 8: Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCF), which happens to be the only factory involved with the manufacture of chemical fertilizers in Karnataka, began preparations to begin manufacture of chemical fertilizers again on Wednesday. As a result, its machines revved up to life, and chimneys of the factory began emitting smoke.

Sine the factory closed operations about three months back, over 2,000 employees of the factory and farmers from allover the state,who were worried over possible shortage of chemical fertilizers, had taken to streets to draw the attention of the state and central governments the need to keep the factory afloat. MPs and MLAs of the twin districts had also brought pressure on state and central governments. As a result of these combined efforts, the factory has got a fresh lease of life.

The factory was using naphtha for production. The central government, which had adopted a policy which made it compulsory for such factories to shift to gas-based production, had stopped subsidy support for naphtha. As a result, MCF had suspended operations since September 30, 2014.

All preparations to shift to gas-based production have been made by spending Rs 305 crore. Because of problems associated with land acquisition process, the gas pipeline has not yet reached the city. As MCF on its own is unable to lay this pipeline, the state government, with support from central government, has to finance this pipeline. The pipeline which has been laid from Dabhol via Bengaluru, has been completed till Chitradurga. The proposal to extend it till MCF premises is under consideration of the government. As the central government has given its nod, the employees and farmers are happy. The present permission is valid for three months, but we are confident that it will be extended, said president of MCF Mangala Labour Union, K N Sooryanarayana.