The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilizers for equity investment of ₹ 1033.54 crore (+ ) @ 29.67% of the total project cost for setting up a Coal Gasification based fertilizer projectin Talcher Fertilizer Ltd. (TFL)by Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (RCF).

The revival of the Talcher project will ensure huge investment in the fertilizer sector from the Government through PSUs.  This will create job opportunities and also boost the economy of the State and the eastern region.  The revival of the fertilizer unit will also ensure increase in indigenous production of urea leading to greater self-reliance in urea.

Background:

TFL, a Joint Venture company of GAIL, RCF, CIL and FCIL was incorporated in November, 2015 with shareholding of 29.67% of GAIL, RCF and CIL each and 10.99% of FCIL to revive the Talcher Fertilizer Plant.  TFL has been formed to set up a coal gasification based fertilizer project at Talcher, District Angul, Odisha.  The share of GAIL, CIL and RCF in the equity of TFL shall be ₹ 1033.54 crore (+ 15%) based on the Capex of ₹ 11,611.48 crore (+ 15%) for the Goal gasification based fertilizer plant.  GAIL and CIL are both Maharatna Public Sector Enterprises and their Board is competent to approve their equity investment in the Joint Venture company TFL.  RCF is a Miniratna company and its equity investment in the project is beyond the delegated financial powers of its Board.

Equity investment approved to capitalise a coal gasification fertilizer joint venture, with procedural board approvals required. The executive authorised a government equity infusion by the public sector fertilizer company into the Talcher joint venture to support a coal gasification-based fertilizer project, noting that while some promoter boards are competent to approve their subscriptions, the fertilizer company's proposed investment exceeds its board's delegated financial powers and requires higher sanction.