Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) supporters on Tuesday strongly protested against the Centre’s reported move to privatize Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
“Privatisation of BPCL will automatically transfer Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL)’s ownership to private parties and we cannot accept that,” said AJYCP general secretary Palash Changmai.
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The Centre recently decided to hand over BPCL to private parties that have led to nationwide protests.
“BPCL’s privatisation will lead to private investment in NRL because BPCL is the largest stakeholder with 61.65 per cent share in the refinery,” Changmai further said.
That, he said, will undermine the commitments enshrined in the 1985 Assam Accord, which had led to the establishment of the refinery. The accord followed the six-year anti-migrant Assam agitation
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“The government should reconsider its decision and not go ahead with BPCL’s privatisation,” Changmai reiterated.
Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal has recently written to the Centre expressing his concern over the NDA government’s proposed disinvestment in NRL.
He has also asked for clarification on the Centre’s stand on NRL privatisation.
Oil refineries are one of the biggest sources of public sector employment in Assam which is rich in hydrocarbon resources.
Local organisations have traditionally resisted privatisation moves in this industry.