Dibrugarh, Nov 22: Employees of the Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Limited (BVFCL) have voiced concerns about the company’s future, even as a new 12 lakh metric tonne fertiliser plant, Namrup-IV, is planned on its premises in Namrup, Dibrugarh district.

The apprehension comes amid reports that the central government is considering closure or disinvestment of certain central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), including BVFCL. Employees claimed that “the government is in the process of shutting down the corporation,” citing recent high-level discussions.

Responding to the concerns, BVFCL Chairman and Managing Director Mohan Raj Shetty said the company’s performance has improved this year. “Our quarterly and half-yearly results are positive. This improved performance is expected to yield positive outcomes for the organisation,” he told PTI.

The anxiety among employees stems from a letter dated November 13 from the Department of Fertilisers, stating that the Department of Public Enterprises is preparing a note for “in-principle” approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) regarding closure or disinvestment of certain CPSEs, including BVFCL as per a 2022 recommendation. The department has requested detailed information on BVFCL’s Namrup I, II, and III units, as well as updates on the proposed Namrup-IV project.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone for the Namrup-IV facility in December. The upcoming plant is being developed as a joint venture company, Assam Valley Fertilizer and Chemical Company Limited (AVFCCL), incorporated in July 2025 with participation from the Assam government, Oil India Limited (OIL), National Fertilizers Limited (NFL), Hindustan Urvarak and Rasayan Limited (HURL), and BVFCL.

“The government is speaking in two voices—promising revival through Namrup-IV while preparing documents for closure,” said Tileswar Bora, president of the Namrup Fertiliser Protection United Forum.

BVFCL, under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, was formed in April 2002 after splitting from Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation Limited (HFCL). Of its three existing plants, Namrup-I and II are non-functional, while Namrup-III, commissioned in 1987, operates at around 80 percent capacity using outdated technology, producing about two lakh metric tonnes of urea annually.

Bora urged intervention from the Prime Minister, warning that “without revival, even the third unit may face closure soon.” He also highlighted employee concerns over the freezing of two recruitment drives for management trainees and technical staff, calling it “a signal that may make it easier to declare the company unviable later.”

CMD Shetty urged employees to remain optimistic. “We must keep up the momentum and continue performing well to secure the company’s future,” he said.