Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 18
So far no progress has been made regarding the revival of Nagaland Paper & Pulp Company (NPPC) Ltd Tuli (or Tuli Paper Mill), the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who is also in-charge of Industries & Commerce Department, informed the State Assembly on September 18.
The Department of Heavy Industries (DHI) Secretary convened a meeting on March 21 this year to decide on the future course of action on NPPC, Rio informed replying to a starred question by MLA Dr Imtiwapang Aier on the first day of the 2nd session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on September 18.
The decision was that a cabinet committee of economic affairs note for the closure of NPPC be prepared expeditiously by the DHI, he added.
Later on May 14, the NITI Aayog convened a meeting with Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC), DHI and Chief Secretary Nagaland, Rio stated.
The first phase of the revival process started with the production of bamboo chips with the release of Rs. 100 crore on September 19, 2013 to HPC by the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, DHI, he said.
Rio further informed the House that the state has also provided its equity share amounting to Rs. 23 crore in two installments (Rs. 12 crore in 2014-15 and Rs. 11 crore in 2015-16).
Out of the Rs. 100 crore sanctioned for the NPPCL, Rs. 60 crore was diverted by the HPC and the Government of Nagaland had to infuse a loan of Rs. 1.20 crore for payment of salaries to prevent serious law and order situation, Rio informed, adding that payment of salaries & wages is pending since July 2017.
Rio stated that in connection to the diversion of the fund by HPC and revival and rehabilitation of NPPC, numerous letters have been issued by the Chief Minister of Nagaland to the Government of India.
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