The foundation stone for the extended unit of the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) will be laid in Bhopal on July 20. land measuring 10 acres has been earmarked for the project at Semra Kalan. Central and State Governments will share Rs20 crore each in the total Rs40 crore cost of the project. With expansion, number of students in the institute will increase to 7000 from 3500. Arrangement of advance storage of fertilisers made in Madhya Pradesh will be replicated in other States also. Directives in this regard were given by Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar to his Ministry here on Friday.
On behalf of people of the State, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed gratitude towards Ananth Kumar and assured to extend all possible cooperation in Centre’s development projects. Resolving all issues of Madhya Pradesh pertaining to Union Chemical and Fertilisers Ministry at Mantralaya here on Friday, Ananth Kumar gave several gifts to the State. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Industries Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia also attended the meeting.
In view of preparations and enthusiasm on the part of State Government, Kumar sanctioned Polymer Park at Morena and consented to include it in next 6 parks. The State Government has allotted 128 acres of land for it. Besides, detailed project report has also been chalked out. Government of India will make available Rs40 crore for it.
It was informed in the meeting that the State has created a record in storage of fertilisers. As of today, 8.65 lakh MT fertilisers are stored, which is adequate for State’s requirement. During the discussions on status of fertilisers in the State, it was informed that the State has received 25 per cent more urea and DAP than required for the first time in its history. Consumption of fertilisers is 84 kg per acre in the State, which will be emulated with national average of 150 kg per acre soon. The Chief Minister said that farmers will be educated and motivated to use neem-coated urea.
lavishly praising Madhya Pradesh’s arrangement for advance storage of fertilisers, Ananth Kumar directed accompanying Union Joint Director and other officers to replicate these arrangements in entire country. Discussions were held to establish fertilisers plants in Madhya Pradesh to solve perennial problem of fertilisers in the State. Kumar informed that under new investment policy of 2014, any private company or group can establish urea plant. Permission from Central Government is not required.
He accorded sanction to establish urea plant at Jhabua. He informed that the country has 30 fertiliser plants and fertiliser production has exceeded by 30 percent for the first time in the country. The Chief Minister suggested that National Fertilisers limit should construct its extended unit at Jabalpur to overcome shortage of fertilisers in Mahakaushal region. He said that the area has adequate water, power and land. Only supply of gas will be needed. On this, Ananth Kumar said that while giving preference to NFl, private companies will also be urged to establish fertiliser plants in Jabalpur. For this, he directed to convene a meeting in New Delhi on June 10. He expressed confidence that following establishment of fertiliser plants in Madhya Pradesh, it will start producing 26 lakh MT urea per annum against its consumption of 20 lakh MT. This will remove shortage of fertiliser and provide jobs to about 30 thousand persons. With this, Madhya Pradesh will become fertiliser exporter state. He said that gas required for urea plant will be made available at any cost.