The Mangalore Refineries and Chemicals which has proved hazardous both to the seas
and the environment in Dakshina Kannada, could this time net a profit which is less
than Rs 81 crores than what it secured last year. Still, the statement of the company’s
managing director that it has netted a profit of Rs 1,112 crores this time has shocked
everyone. Not that the profit has reduced to some extent this year, but to know that this
company could net profit in thousands of crores at the cost of the fishermen and the
people in the vicinity of the project site without contributing anything to the district. First
and foremost, the question is whether MRPL, as a public undertaking refinery needed
to amass so much of profit. How could it net so much of profit ? Isn’t it because it sold
the refined fuel at higher prices ? Who will pay the price for all this finally ? Ourselves,
the customers of petroleum products. It only means that MRPL could fill its treasury as it
could collect over and above from the customers.
As MRPL is located in Mangalore and is using the local resources and infrastructure, so
far it has not paid any heed to the request of the locals to supply fuel at least by a rupee
less to the local petrol bunks. This being the case, why should we be pleased to know
that MRPL has earned a profit of Rs 1112 crores ? It only signifies that the government
firms which are after profit making are in a way oppressive. ( This is applicable even
to our public sector banks) The government undertakings should never imitate their
private counterparts whose sole aim is profit making. The main objective of government
undertakings is to provide good services to the people at reasonable rates.
1 . Ever since MRPL has been operational, the water resources in all nearby villages
have been rendered unfit for consumption owing to oil seepage. Hundreds of
acres of farm lands too have been destroyed due to oil seepage.
2 . As the MRPL effluents are entering the sea water, it has even led to destruction of
fish in turn affecting fishermen.
3 . The extent of air pollution in a 100 km vicinity of the project site is beyond
explanation and lakhs of people are suffering from various ailments due to this.
4 . The oil refinery has also reduced the quantity of water available for
Mangaloreans. In case the MRPL extension unit becomes operational, then it
would only mean that
5 . The huge oil tankers heading towards and returning from MRPL have worsened
the condition of our roads. MRPL could have very well laid separate roads for
the entire water of Netravathi would go to MRPL.
its tanker traffic from Suratkal towards Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Kasargod and
other places. At least, in that case our roads would have remained safe. But it has
not spent even a penny to improve the roads.
6 . The company has also failed to provide jobs to local candidates. 99 per cent of
the MRPL employees are from other states.
Has MRPL proved a boon or a bane to the district ? Some Congress leaders who pat their
own back saying it were they who brought MRPL to Mangalore, have forgotten that
they have only added to the woes of the region. We cannot forgive them for this at any
time. It is also a truth which they fail to admit that it was owing to this reason that the
Congress was continuously suffering a defeat here.
As if the problems are insuffice, MRPL has already acquired around 2000 acres of
land for its second and third phase expansion, in the name of SEZ. Even the state BJP
government has committed itself to provide the required land. Still, the company seems
to be unsatisfied.
This may go to such an extent that one fine day, the entire district may be acquired for
this project rendering all of us destitutes. Let us see if our political leaders will even then
pat their own backs saying MRPL was their gift to the district.
Related news: