PM Modi rules out privatisation of Singareni Collieries, assuages fertiliser shortage fears

The prime minister was speaking after dedicating RFCL to the nation. The manufacturing facility has been renovated at a cost of ₹6,500 crore.

Modi said it appeared that those sitting in Hyderabad did not know who owned how much stake in SCCL.

“They are purveying lies to the people that the centre was trying to privatise the mines,” said the prime minister, taking a potshot at the government.

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PM addresses fertiliser situation

Referring to the fertiliser supply situation in the country, he said that the Central government, after understanding the need for an increase in production, has been taking measures in this direction.

“We have not confined ourselves to merely laying of foundation stones. We are ensuring their completion. The RFCL modernisation, which began in 2016, was completed in record time,” he said.

The prime minister reminded the farmers that the Centre was providing neem-coated urea at a subsidised price.

“We are providing cards to farmers after testing the soil in their fields. We are helping them grow the kind of crops that are suitable to their land,” he said.

As far as fertiliser supply was concerned, the Centre was ensuring that there was no shortage, he said.

“We have been importing urea from other countries at a very high price. If we produce them in India, we not only save valuable foreign exchange but can also provide the fertiliser at a lower price,” Modi explained.

The prime minister also said that the Centre intended to provide urea under only one name: Bharat Urea. Efforts were on to prevent black-marketing and spurious fertilisers from flooding the markets, he said.

Projects inaugurated 

Referring to the Bhadrachalam Road-Sattupalli railway line, which he commissioned at the function, Modi said that it would benefit not only the people but also the energy sector as coal could be moved from nearby mines.

He said the expansion of the three new highways, for which he laid the foundation stone virtually at the same function, would usher in several economic changes.

They would generate immense employment potential besides improving transportation in Telangana, ensuring connectivity to the mega textile park, he said.

Outlining the path of development that his government had travelled the last eight years, the prime minister said that the priority had always been improving infrastructure. ”

We have hastened the process of sanctioning development works. The nation has emerged as the third largest economic power now,” he said.

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