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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jul 6: “MRPL had turnover of Rs 72,283 crore and profit after tax of Rs 332 crore in the year 2018-19,” said MRPL managing director M Venkatesh.

Addressing media here on Saturday July 6, Venkatesh said, "MRPL has resumed work after work was stopped due to water scarcity. MRPL worked closely with PSU oil companies to ensure uninterrupted and continuous supply of petrol and diesel and other fuels to Dakshina Kannada and hinterland. MRPL would like to express its gratitude to the district administration and the people of Dakshina Kannada for their support during this period.

“The need for water for domestic usage will increase continuously as the city grows and pressure on water supply in summer months will increase in future. In order to ease the pressure on water supply during summer months, MRPL is setting up a sea water desalination plant at an estimated cost of Rs 620 crore. Hence, water will be available for the refinery in summer months and this will allow MRPL to ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products even during periods of water shortage. The unit, with a capacity of 7 million gallons of petroleum products, is expected to be commissioned in the third quarter of financial year 2020-2021. For the summer of 2020, MRPL is attempting to hire containerized desalination units. MRPL is also targeting to increase the use of treated municipal sewage from present 3 million gallons per day.

“MRPL has been contributing to the social development of the region through unstinting efforts. While Lady Goschen hospital remains our flagship contribution to the region, MRPL has also contributed in other ways. CSR expenditure of Rs 113 crore was spent in which Rs 83 crore was for Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district in the past five years. We have imparted employment oriented skill development training to 135 young men and women from areas around MRPL and employment was given to 100 people.

“MRPL is grateful to for the positive response of its retail outlets. In the past year, MPRL opened a new retail outlet in Gubbi in Tumkuru. Encouraged by the trust reposed on us, MRPL is expanding its retail presence and plans to open 257 outlets in Karnataka and Kerala in the next couple of years,” he said.

When queried if the shutdown due to water crisis effected production, Venkatesh said, "The entire district faced water crisis. We had to shut down from April 16 and the production got effected. But we never let people feel it.”

When asked about expansion of phase 4, Venkatesh said, "We are a responsible company and follow the rules and regulations irrespective of what happens on the ground level. The land acquisition process in on, and compensation has to be disposed. It is difficult to give time period for the same.”

M Vinayakumar, GGM i/c Ref Designated DR, and S Raviprasad, GGM Finance & CFO were present.