File picture of Nagaland Pulp and Paper Corporation at Tuli

Kohima, April 26: The fate of Nagaland Pulp and Paper Corporation at Tuli in Mokokchung district is still uncertain with the state government and several Naga organisations amplifying concern over the delay in the revival of the mill.

Union secretary for heavy industries and public enterprises Satyanarayan Dash who visited the Tuli mill, about 300km from here, in December could not give any concrete assurance when the mill would again start functioning.

The NPPC was commissioned in 1981 and work was suspended in 1992 because of funds constraints. Various Naga organisations have urged the Centre for its immediate revival as the place is endowed with huge mineral and forest resources.

The mill was also included in the peace package agreement between the Centre and the Naga National Council (NNC) in 1964.

The Tuli area, spread across 126.24 square km, was purchased by the state government to meet the required raw materials. The locale meets the project requirement of 3.5 tonnes of bamboo, 1.3 lakh tonnes of coal and 1 lakh tonne limestone a year.

The Naga organisations and the state government have pinned hope on Dash, but the Centre insists that the state assures basic requirements, including supply of limestone, coal and raw materials for the sustenance of the plant.

The mill, a subsidiary of Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC), was taken out of the control of the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction in 2007.

Several central officials after visiting the defunct mill said the revised detailed project report (DPR) submitted by the state government through HPC was now with the ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises.

According to the officials, the report is under consideration and will be submitted to the ministry of finance and the Planning Commission for clearance before its final approval by the cabinet.

The HPC has decided to re-open its Tuli paper mill in Nagaland, entailing an investment of about Rs 500 crore.

Additional chief secretary and development commissioner Alemtemshi said the state government had projected Rs 1,241 crore in the revised DPR and expressed hope that it would get the approval of the Centre.

According to the official, NPPC is the only viable plant in the state which pays dividends and will also generate employment for the youths.

The revival of the Tuli paper mill still awaits the approval of the revised DPR from the central department of heavy industries.

The project would, however, be completed within 27 months from the date of approval of the revised estimated cost by the competent authority, parliamentary secretary for industry and commerce K.C. Nihoshe said.

A dispute over the ownership of the land, however, has cropped up between two villages. The NPPC faces other problems like theft and burglary.