First phase of NPCC revival plan to be over by Nov-2016: Geete

The ray of hope for the much awaited revival of the Nagaland Pulp and Paper Company (Ltd) at Tuli gained momentum with Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprise Anand Geete today assuring that a revival plan was being worked upon.
The Union Minister's assurance came during his day-long visit to NPPC-Tuli under Mokokchung district, about 268 km from the state capital.
Talking to reporters after his inspection of the plant and a meeting with NPCC top officials, Geete said the revival work would be carried out in two phases.
Works under the first phase would be completed by November 2016, for which the government has allocated Rs 489 crore and another Rs 190 crore would be allocated to take up works in phase two, he said adding, the Nagaland government has to contribute Rs 23 crore as five per cent state share.

He further said a meeting with state government officials would be held in New Delhi in the second week of March this year to have in-depth discussions for the revival works in the plant.
Referring to employment in the NPPC, the Union Minister said immediate requirement of 600 employees would be met shortly and another 750 would be employed later.

On the job opportunity to local people, Geete said unskilled workers in the plant would be comprised of only local residents, while preference would also be given in the skill category.
The Union Minister said he would keep on visiting the NPCC after every six months to oversee the revival works in the plant.

During his visit to the plant he laid the foundation stone for the 8.5 MW power plant complex for the NPPC costing Rs 130 crore and also planted a royal palm tree at the complex.
It may be recalled that the ambitious NPPC plant at Tuli was incorporated in September 1971, commercial production started in 1982 and production came to a grinding halt in October 1992 due to several reasons.