Privatization of NRL will Leave the Assamese Jobless: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi to PM Modi

Guwahati, October 21, 2019:

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the privatization of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), which holds 61.65 per cent share of NRL, located in the Golaghat district of Assam.

In the letter, Gaurav Gogoi told the Prime Minister that the privatization of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), which holds 61.65 per cent share of NRL, will subsequently result in the privatization of NRL.

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In opposition to the privatization of the oil fields, Gogoi stated three reasons in his letter, "First, there is a rising public sentiment that has emerged against this move. This owes to the historic commitment made in the Assam Accord by the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, which led to the birth of NRL. There is, therefore, a regional value and history attached to NRL", he said.

He added, “Second, the refinery is a profit making subsidiary. Since October 2000, NRL has paid more than Rs 30,000 crore to the national and state exchequer."

The Congress MP mentioned that the privatization of NRL will not only hurt the local sentiments and shared the history of Assam, but also render several local people jobless and insecure.

Gogoi said that NRL has contributed significantly to the socio-economic development of the district of Golaghat and has improved employment opportunities for the local youth, especially the indigenous populations.

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"NRL has initiated environmental conservation in the region by producing friendly fuels and adopting environmental friendly technology. NRL has also committed to several Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR) initiatives including infrastructure dvelopment rural electrification and promotion of arts and literature", he asserted.

Supporting the opposition of privatization, Gaurav further added, "And I support the sentiments of the people and request you (prime minister) to halt the privatization of the NRL and kindly protect to interests of the local Assamese populace."

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