The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Poll code delays announcement of NLC's Navratna status

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Sunday, Apr 24, 2011
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Poll code delays announcement of NLC's Navratna status

A. V. Ragunathan

CUDDALORE: Even though the Neyveli Lignite Corporation has attained Navratna status, the Model Code of Conduct in force for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections has prevented it from either publicising it or organising any celebrations in this regard. It is almost a virtual gag for the NLC as it cannot openly declare its coveted honour till the results of the Assembly elections are out.

On April 11 President Pratibha Patil handed over the certificate, conferring the Navratna title on NLC, to its Chairman-cum-Managing Director A.R. Ansari in the presence of Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Praful Patel in New Delhi.

Even the NLC employees discuss in hushed tones its elevated status, for it has now shaken off the Mini Ratna status which it was wearing for about a decade, and the people are blissfully unaware of its new attainment that has been virtually kept under the wraps.

However, the NLC in its website—www.nlcindia.com—and in its tender notices, has mentioned itself as a Navratna company.

Empowered

Regardless of its status the NLC would have to vie with any other power sector companies, both private and public, to get the future projects. However, with Navratna status to its credit the NLC is now fully empowered to take a decision on expansion, acquisition and merger.

Of course, the NLC will yet require the nod of the Centre but not the approval, in the formal sense. The Board of Directors is now empowered to decide on the new projects to be launched by the NLC.

The NLC has been improving upon its performance year after year and the statistics for the year 2010-11 are as follows: it had excavated a total of 231.44 lakh tonnes of lignite, generated 17,879.54 million units of power and exported 14,969.85 million units of power during the period.

Improving performance

With two units of the Thermal Power Station-II Expansion slated to go on stream within six months and the Barsingsar project in Rajasthan expected to show profits, the stock of NLC is bound to go up several notches.

Even a couple of months ago it had been the refrain of Mr. Ansari that given the dedication of the officials, employees and the workforce, the NLC was almost nearer to notching the glory.

The enhanced status of NLC will certainly subdue, if not muzzle, the voices of the detractors and critics.

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