By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 22, 2018: Prime Minsiter, Narendra Modi on Saturday lad foundation stone of Talcher Fertiliser Plant, inaugurated Jharuguda airport besides launching a slew of projects including the Garjanbahal coal mines and the Jharsuguda-Barapali-Sardega rail link.

He also unveiled a plaque to mark the commencement of coal production and transportation from Dulanga coal mines.

“I am happy we are taking an important step of beginning work in a fertiliser plant here. We are fulfilling dreams that should have been fulfilled long ago. Our aim is to take India to new heights of growth. Projects like the fertiliser plant here are central to India’s growth story. This plant will use latest technology as well,” said Modi.

The plant will help create a huge employment opportunity in the region and will start production in 36 months, Modi said adding, “I will come again after three years for inauguration.”

Talcher Fertilizers Ltd is a joint venture between state run GAIL (India) Ltd, Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF) and Coal India Ltd (CIL). Once commissioned, it will produce 1.26 million metric tonne per annum of neem coated urea.

This is the first plant in India to have a coal gasification based fertilizer unit. In addition to fertilizer, the plant will produce natural gas, which will contribute to the country’s energy requirements.

The Talcher project will reduce dependence on urea and gas imports, Modi remarked.

“The plant will promote alternative use of domestic coal in an environment friendly manner, thereby supporting India’s commitments under the CoP 21 Paris Agreement 2016. It will produce 2.38 million metric standard cubic meter per day (MMSCMD) natural gas equivalent syngas from coal, leading to reduction in import bill of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by more than Rs 1,620 crore per annum,” GAIL said in a statement.

While GAIL, RCF and CIL hold 29.67% each, Fertilizer Corporation of India Ltd (FCIL) has a 10.99% stake in the Rs13,000 crore Talcher project. The project is expected to provide direct and indirect employment to 4,500 people.

Modi also inaugurated the second commercial airport named after freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai at Jharsuguda in presence of Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Governor Ganeshi Lal and Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram & Suresh Prabhu. The new Airport will bring western Odisha on the aviation map of India, and facilitate regional air connectivity through the UDAN scheme, Modi added.

Addressing two public meetings in Talcher and Jharsuguda, Modi slammed Patnaik for rejecting the Centre’s flagship Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme for the poor and alleged that a “PC” (percentage commission) culture has become the state government’s identity.

Saying that Odisha lagged on Swachh Bharat campaign parameter, he urged Patnaik to improve the level of cleanliness in the coastal state.

“Everyone is aware of the importance of Ayushman Bharat scheme, but Naveen Babu does not understand. Odisha government should come forward and join the programme,” Modi said.

The prime minister is set to launch the programme countrywide from Jharkhand on Sunday. The scheme aims to provide Rs 5 lakh health insurance coverage per family annually to more than 10 crore poor households.

The Odisha government has not joined the central scheme, saying it has introduced a better programme, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, in the state.

Modi said because of the state government’s decision, a large number of poor people in Odisha would be deprived of the benefits of Ayushman Bharat scheme, which, he added, aims to create a healthy, capable and content new India.

“Once again, I publicly urge Naveen Babu to link people of the state with Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme which seeks to cover 10 crore poor families and effectively 50 crore people in the country,” he said.

Stepping up his criticism of the BJD government ahead of assembly polls and parliamentary elections next year, Modi alleged that a “PC” (percentage commission) culture and delaying decisions have become the identity of the Odisha government resulting in the state’s tardy development.

Modi said there was a need for “bade parivartan” (big change) to give pace to Odisha’s development.

Targeting the Congress party, Modi referred to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi’s famous remark that only 15 paisa out of a rupee sanctioned by the Centre for welfare of people reaches the intended beneficiaries.

“They knew about the ‘bimari’ but had no vision to solve it,” he said.

He said the BJP government’s decision to directly transfer money to the bank accounts of beneficiaries has curbed the practice of middlemen in implementation of welfare schemes.

“If our government releases Re 1, entire 100 paise reaches the poor,” he said.

Accusing the previous UPA government of being responsible for closure of several industrial units, Modi said the BJP-led NDA government is taking concrete steps to revive closed plants.

He claimed that the UPA government lacked a clear vision and a clean intention and said all attempts by them to revive closed industries were limited to papers, files and public announcements.

However, now Talcher Fertilise Plant is being revived with an investment of Rs 13,000 crore, he said, adding that other fertiliser plants in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana and Bihar were also being restarted, he said.

Asserting that the Centre is committed to provide not only economic justice but also social justice to people, Modi said the Centre would ensure housing for all by 2022.

Pointing towards the large gathering of people at Talcher rally, Modi said it “clearly showed” what the people of Odisha have in mind.