HISTORY OF FACT

Mans history is replete with revolutions, responsible for molding his

system of thought and shaping his modes of living. Revolutions have,
more often than not, emerged out of crisis-situations it was one such
crisis situation that guided the enlightened perception of a far sighted
visionary to form FACT. Yes! The FERTILISER AND CHEMICALS
TRAVANCORE LIMITED-popularly known as FACT-was indeed a
revolution when it was established as the first large scale fertilizer factory
in the country. Since then, it has played a major role in creating fertilizer
consciousness among our farmers, and giving a positive direction to the
modernization of agriculture in India. And that, of course is an
interesting story-a story of never ending challenges and constructive
responses.
The beginning
The 1940,s were a time of critical food shortage in our country. The
traditional approach to cultivation was not of much help in finding a
solution to this problem. And nitrogenous fertilizer had not yet arrived on
the agriculture scene in sufficient quantities to make any perceptible
impact. A revolution was indeed necessary to change the status quo. And
when it came, it did through the vision of Dr. C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar, the
Dewan of the former Travancore State, who mooted the idea of increasing
food production by the application of fertilizer as a long term solution to
food problem. To give concrete shape to his idea, he sought the help of
Seshayee Brothers Ltd. Industrialist known for their pioneering work.
And Indias first large-scale fertilizer plant was set up in 1944 at
Udyogamandal on the banks of the river periyar in Kerala State. The new
venture of course had to go through many teething troubles. For
instance, the raw materials necessary for the production of ammonium
salts were not available in the state. But this deficiency was overcome by
adopting a revolutionary method known as the FIREWOOD
GASIFICATION PROCESS. However, initial difficulties notwithstanding,
the plant at Udyogamandal went into commercial production in 1947,
with the slated capacity to manufacture 50,000 tonnes of Ammonium
Sulphate (10,000 tonnes of N). This was followed by the production of

SUPERPHOSPHATE in a new plant with a capacity of 44,000 tonnes. A

sulphuric acid plant of 75 tonnes per day was also installed which was
considered large going standard at that time. Meanwhile the inner
dynamics of FACT was finding another expression in the formation of
new unit with the help of the State Government and Methur Chemical &
Industrial Corporation Ltd., for the production of caustic soda which
later become todays Travancore-Cochin Chemical Ltd., a Kerala
Government undertaking. This indeed was a big leap forward as it
replaced all the imports of that product, saving a considerable amount of
foreign exchange. FACT was the first to use its byproduct, chlorine, as
hydrochloric acid to produce Ammonium Chloride. These by-products
produced by FACT paved the way for setting up of other industrial units
around the FACT complex viz. Hindustan Insecticide Ltd., Indian Rare
Earth Ltd., etc.
Expansion
In the late 50s, the Udyogamandalam Division launched its first
expansion with an outlay of Rs. 3 crores. Highlights of the period were
the installation of two plants to produce Phosphoric Acid and Ammonium
Phosphate (16:20 Grade). The second stage of expansion involving Rs. 2
crores saw the replacement of the Firewood Gasification Process and the
Electrolytic Process by the Texaco Oil Gasification Process for which a
new plant was set up. FACT became a Kerala State Public Sector
Enterprise on 15th August 1960. On 21st November 1962, the
Government of India became the major shareholder. The 2nd stage of
expansion of FACT was completed in 1962. The 3rd stage of expansion of
FACT was completed in 1965 with setting up of a new Ammonium
Sulphate Plant. FACT has been a pace-setter in marketing evolving a
continuous and comprehensive package of effective communication with
farmers and promotional programmes to increase the fertilizer
consciousness among our farmers. In fact, FACT was the first fertilizer
manufacturer in India to introduce the village adoption concept since
1968 to improve agricultural productivity and enhance the overall socioeconomic status of farmers. FACT has a well organized marking net work,
capable of distribution over a million tones of fertilizers. With the
licensing of Cochin Division in 1966 FACT further expanded and by 1976

the production of sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and Urea was started.
In 1979 Production of NPK was commercialized.
Technical Divisions
FACT Engineering and Design Organization (FEDO) was established in
1965 to meet the emerging need for indigenous capabilities in vital areas
of engineering, design and consultancy for establishing large and modern
fertilizer plants. FEDO has since then diversified into Petrochemicals and
other areas also. It offers multifarious services from project identification
and evaluation stage to plant design, procurement project management,
site supervision, commissioning and operating new plants as well as
revamping and modernization of old plants. FEDO received international
accreditation ISO 9001 2004 for quality system standards covering areas
of consultancy, design & engineering services for construction of large
fertilizer, petrochemicals, chemicals and related projects including
purchasing, construction, supervior, inspection and expediting services.
FACT Engineering Works (FEW) was established on 13 th April 1966 as a
unit to fabricate and install equipment for fertilizer plants. FEW was
originally conceived as a unit to fabricate and install equipment for
FACTs own plants. Over the year it developed capabilities in the
manufacture of class I pressure vessels, heat exchangers, rail mounted
LPG tank wagons etc. It has a well equipped workshop approved by
Lloyds Register of Shipping, further; this division has excelled in laying
cross country piping fabrication and installation of large penstocks for
hydel units in Kerala. The Cochin Division of FACT, the 2nd production
unit was set up at Ambalamedu and the 1st phase was commissioned in
1973. The 2nd phase of FACT Cochin Division was commissioned in
1976. The project
was designed to produce Ammonia which would be converted to Urea
and also to produce high analysis, water soluble NP fertilizers. This
division corprises of a number of large capacity plants to produce
Ammonia, Urea, Sulphuric Acid, Phosphoric Acid and Fertilizers like
FACTAMPHOS 20-20 and DAP 18-46. FACT has also a Research &
development Department which carries out research related to fertilizers.
This Division is also capable of doing fundamental research in areas of
fertilizers and chemicals technology. So far FACT R & D has taken 17

patents in areas like Sodium Fluoride, Sulphuric Acid and Ammonium

Phosphate.
Breakthrough
FACT took a major breakthrough, when its 50,000 TPA plant
Caprolactum was commissioned in 1990 as a major diversification plan
from our traditional field of fertilizers and allied chemicals. The plant
with a capacity outlay of Rs. 368 crores utilizes the most modern
technology and the product is acknowledge as one of the best in the
world. It also produces 2, 25,000 tonnes per Ammonium Sulphate as coproduct. Subsequently, FACT set up a 900 TPD Ammonia plant at
Udyogamandal with an investment of Rs 618 crores. This replaced the
old Ammonia plant of Udyogamandal Division. The plant commissioned
in 1998. FACT has been entering into a Memorandum of Understanding,
(MOU) with the ministry of chemicals and fertilizers every year. This is as
per the guidelines of DPE, Ministry of finance GOI. The objective of FACT
is to achieve excellence in performance as per the MOU agreement.

VISION & MISSION OF FACT

Mission of FACT
To function as a dependable and globally competitive producer of
fertilizer and other allied products and to develop self reliance in the field
of engineering and technology, especially in the field of fertilizers,
chemicals, petrochemical, oil & gas industries

Vision of FACT
To emerge as a leading company in the business of providing quality
agriculture and industrial inputs and providing engineering services for
industrial and infrastructural facilities.

CORPORATE OBJECTIVES

1.
To be of service to the nation and to contribute effectively to its
economic well being and growth through the production and marketing
of fertilizers and chemicals and through the acquisitions/development
and dissemination of engineering technology know-how and skills.
2. To sustain and improve its pioneering role in the development of
indigenous engineering and technology through research and
development.
3. To improve productivity and maintain high standards of quality and
adopt effective measures for controlling cost and minimizing dependence
on imports.
4. To ensure for its customers the availability of its products and services
on reasonable terms, for its shareholders a fair return on capital invested
and, for itself, development of adequate internal resources for continual
growth and expansion.
5. To actively work for rural uplift through guidance, advice and service
to the farmers in co-operation with all other agencies working for
agriculture development and allied activities.
6. To develop, train and maintain a team of motivated and disciplined
personnel with required skills and abilities, and to encourage innovation
and to create a condition for their functioning and career development so
as to improve their overall quality of life
7. To project a favorable image of the company and its operations, in the
society in which it operates, amongst its customers and suppliers and
amongst the public in general.
8. To continuously plan its future operations for sustained growth and
stability for meeting the needs of the country.

CORPORATE GOALS

1. To achieve a net profit of 200 crore per year with a turnover of Rs.2100
crore by the year of 2010
2. To focus on cost reduction and technology up gradation in order to
become competitive in each line of business.
3. To constantly innovate and develop new products and services to
satisfy customer requirements.
4. To invest in new business lines, where profit can be made on
sustainable basis over the long term.
5. To compete through speed, agility and flexibility in recognizing and
capturing opportunities in existing markets.
6. To invest sufficiently to stay in the game but avoid premature
commitments.

LEGAL FRAME WORK OF THE COMPANY

FACT is a public limited company registered under the Companies act
1956. As a major industrial Organisation, FACT complies with all laws
and statutes which govern industries in general.
1. Factories Act, 1948
2. Excise Act, 1944
3. Sales tax Act, 1959
4. Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
5. Employee Staff welfare Act, 1948
6. Workmen Compensation Act, 1923
7. The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
8. The Payment of Wages Act, 1936
9. Trade Unions Act, 1926
10. Standing Orders Act, 1946
11. Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972
12. Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1955

OWNERSHIP PATTERN

The Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT), is a Schedule A

category Government of India enterprise, under the administrative
control of department of fertilizers in the Ministry of Chemicals and
Fertilizers. FACT was incorporated in 22/09/1943 and in 1960s the
Government of India became the major shareholder. A Board of Directors
manage the Organisation. The chairman of the Board of Directors is the
Managing Director. FACt has a full time Finance Director, a Technical
Director and a Marketing Director. There are also six part time Directors
on the Board, nominees of Central and State Government. Shares of the
company are listed at National stock exchange of India (N.S.E).

DIVISIONS OF F.A.C.T
Udyogamandal Division
FACT commenced operation at Udyogamandal with the commissioning of
a 50,000 tonnes per annum Ammonium Sulphate Plant in 1947. In the
decades that followed multi stage expansion programs were undertaken
bringing in the latest technologies of the day which were quickly
mastered and successfully implemented. Today the division is 40 year old
small capacity plants and 10 year old state of the art technologyplants.
The latest addition to this unit was a 900 tonnes per day Ammonia
Complex set up with an investment of RS 618 crores. FACT
Udyogamandal division is certified to ISO 14001, the environmental
system standards.
Cochin Division
FACT Cochin Division was set up in the 1970's at Ambalamedu, 30 km
from Udyogamandal and adjacent to the Cochin Refineries. Phase-I of the
division saw the setting up of an integrated Ammonia urea complex
utilizing Indian Engineering skills. A large scale complex fertilizer plant of
485,000 TPA was set up as phase-II. Sulphuric acid and Phosphoric acid
plant of economy scale were also set up.
Petrochemical Division

FACT diversified into petrochemicals in 1990 with the production of

Caprolactum. This versatile petrochemical product is the raw material for
the manufacture of nylone-6, which finds extensive application in
textiles, tyre cord and engineering products. Thanks to its high quality,
the product has been acknowledged as among the best in the world. The
division is located adjacent to the Udyogamandal division. Co-product
Ammonium
Sulphate is transferred to the fertilizer plant of Udyogamandal division
for processing.
FACT Engineering & Design Organization (FEDO)
FACT Engineering & Design Organization (FEDO) was established in
1965 for utilizing the considerable indigenous plant building expertise
accumulated by FACT in its process of nurturing the nascent chemical
fertilizer industry. FEDO is today one of India's premier project
engineering organization, catering to a wide spectrum of industries like
petrochemicals, refining, pharmaceuticals, hydrometallurgy etc as well as
petroleum storage, environmental engineering, offsite facilities etc. The
division undertakes project execution on consultancy and turnkey basis,
handling the intricacies of the technology sourcing, design and
engineering, hardware procurement and construction with practiced
ease. FEDO is ISO 9001 certified.
FACT Engineering Works (FEW)
Established in 1966, FACT Engineering Works was originally conceived
as a unit to fabricate and erect equipment for fertilizer plants. Over the
years, it developed capabilities in the manufacture of Class I Pressure
Vessels, Heat Exchangers, Columns, Towers etc. required for the fertilizer,
petrochemical and petroleum industries. FEW received ISO 9002
Certification in 1998.

FUNCTIONS OF HR DEPARTMENT
1. Organizational human resource planning & development
2. Retirement & selection
3. Wage & Salary administration

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Employee records maintaining

Performance appraisal
Welfare programme
Job evaluation
Handling employee grievances
Handling the legal issues within & outside the Organization

PROCESS OF HR DEPARTMENT
The human resource department has 3 blocks which are:

Establishment Section
The main functions are:
1. Recruitment & selection
2. Transfer, rotation and placement of employees in consultation with
divisional heads
3. Wage and salary administration
4. Performance Appraisal
5. Retrenchment

Industrial Relation
Industrial relation operates only within the Organization. The
Interorganizational relation is handled by the corporate cadre. 60 to 70 %
of management time is lost in resolving IR issues. Therefore the H.R
department is of paramount importance. The main functions are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Communication between management and trade unions

Grievance handling
Settlement of dispute
Handling disciplinary action
Safeguarding Employee rights
Career related issues like promotion, transfer & rotation
Resolving daily petty issues

Welfare

Welfare schemes can be divided into Statutory, Agreement, Voluntary

and Incentives The main objective of welfare measures is to maintain
healthy working environment and raise the standards of living of
employees which create harmony to the society and finally to the
organization. FACT has always maintained very healthy welfare
measures.
RECRIUTMENT POLICY
The Recruitment policy is done as per prescribed recruitment
specification with proper authority appointed by B.O.D. The following are
the sources of recruitment.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Confirmed employees within the division or company

Employment exchange as per provisions of Employment Exchange Act
Employees on deputation from Govt. of India
Casual labours who were initially taken after employment exchange
Transfer from public sector undertakings
Apprentices who completed training in FACT
Dependents of deceased employees who died in service
External source

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
Performance Appraisal in FACT started in 1962. In 1984, the system was
further revised to include potential assessment, assessment of training
needs and performance counseling.
The main functions are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Self Appraisal for all management employees

Reporting and receiving officers specified for each level of appraisal
Assessment by the Assessment Committee
Grading on the basis of assessment
Communication of final rating to employees formally
Provision for appeal by employees formally

WORKERS PARTICIPATION IN MANAGEMENT

FACT is one of the pioneer industrial undertakings, which initiated
action to promote worker participation in management. Even as early as
1959, when FACT had only one division, the idea of having the active
association of employees in various aspects of productive operations in
true participative spirit, creating a climate of involvement and
commitment in order to motivate the work force to enable the work force
to contribute their best to the sustained growth and prosperity of the
organization was in the mind of management. It was with this idea that a
Joint Council, Shop Council and Joint Labour Management Action
Groups were formed.

MANPOWER OF FACT
As part of cost reduction measures, from 1998 onwards FACT reduced its
employee strength. FACT had more than 9000 employees earlier, but it is
now reduced to less than 4000 employees by the successful
implementation of VRS. FACT has several divisions, which all together
consist of 3817 employees now. The following table shows the division
wise employee strength of FACT during April 2008
Acting on complaints
Anonymous and pseudonymous complaints are not taken cognizance of
survey of employees suspected of indulging in corruption is undertaken
YES/NO
Take action
Inspecting high value
files
Fraud
Detected
Receipts of complaints
Suspicious
Actions
Acting on complaints and on getting reliable information their names are

included in the agreed list for keeping a close vigil on their activities.
Suspicious action of employees

The names of employees who are charge sheeted in the court in a

corruption case or have been punished or likely to be punished in
departmental proceedings on charges of corruption and irregularities are
included in the list of officers of doubtful integrity. Both the lists are sent
to the CBI for keeping a watch on the activities of listed employees.
Employees are also monitored if suspicious actions are detected.
Inspecting High value files
Some of the high value files are
:
1. Files of high financial importance such as Budgeting and payroll
2. Susceptible Files: E.g. Stores accounting.
3. Files of importance. E.g. Raw material procurement, traffic of
materials
4. Adherence to policies: Transfer, promotion, awards, incentives given to
employees
5. New projects & development related activities
Actions taken
The cases of fraud charged against a department or an employee is
circulated throughout all departments which act as a deterrence to
malpractices for fear of being caught. If the case involves above Rs. 25
lakh, then the case is handed over to the CBI. The CBI can also take over
the case from the department if paramount importance has been
attached to the case. An employee is suspended from service during the
period of trial and if found guilty from the court of law, then he or she is
terminated from service considering the gravity of the case.

The Fertiliser and Chemicals Travancore Ltd Shri K Sreenivasa Karayalar, reviews
activities
Addressing the Twenty first Annual General Meeting held at the Registered Office,
Udyogamandal, on 30th September 1965, Shri K Sreenivasa Karayalar said:
Gentlemen, I am glad to welcome you to this, the 21st Annual General Meeting of
the Company and to present to you the accounts of the Company and the Report of
the Directors for the year ended 31st March, 1965. As in the past few years, the
company had to face a severe power cut ranging from 32% to 70% in the first three
months of the year under review. This cost the Company a loss of production of the
order of Rs. 10 million. In November last year an tinfortunate explosion occurred in
the Ammonia Synthesis Plant due to the failure of a high pressure pipeline. In
addition to causing the death of three of the company's loyal workers, the accident
also resulted in one of the ammonia stream going out of production for the rest of
the year. The high pressure pipe that failed was a special chrome molybdenum alloy.
New pipelines were ordered immediately from abroad. They arrived a few weeks
ago and the ammonia stream would be back in production in a few days. The
families of the workers who lost their lives were granted liberal assistance. On
account of this explosion the company lost Rs. 7.5 million worth of production
during the year. In addition to these setbacks, there was also a shortage of imported
raw materials in the last quarter of the year on account of the critical foreign
exchange situation. Depreciation also went up on account of the need for making an
extra allowance for the third shift working. The total depreciation charged for the
year amounted to Rs. 6.74 million as against Rs. 5.63 million in the previous year.
Another difficulty arose on account of the arbitrary fixation by the Government of
India of the retention price for ammonium sulphate, the major product of your
Company. The price fixed for both 1963-64 and the year under review were well
below the fair price the Company was entitled to, The matter was represented to
the Government of India for reconsideration. Their decision is awaited. As a result of
all these adverse factors, the company incurred a net loss of Rs. 4.88 million. This
loss can be made up as the new plants installed during the third stage of expansion
will be going into production shortly. In these circumstances, it has not been
possible to recommend any dividend for the year. The current year also started
badly as the ammonia stream referred to earlier continued to be out of commission
awaiting the arrival of the special high pressure pipes, Power shortage also affected
production adversely in June/July, Yet the company was hopeful of making up these
losses in production as the new plants installed during the third stage of expansion
were being got ready for commissioning. It was at this time that the Employees'
Association decided to go on a strike. For some months in the past, the Employees'
Association had been taking a belligerent attitude. The Association started
interfering with disciplinary proceedings initiated in the normal course. The
Association leadership also carried on a systematic campaign advising the
employees not to carry out the instructions issued by their superiors. Things came
to a. head when the new plants installed during the third stage of expansion had to
be commissioned. The necessary personnel for operating and maintaining the
plants were posted and commissioning work was about, to begin. The
commissioning engineers had arrived from abroad. The Association leadership
thereupon advised the workers to go on a tools down strike from the 2nd of August
1965. The Association also gave a notice of strike on the 4th of August. As a public
utility undertaking, the company was entitled to a clear fourteen days' notice. Yet,

the sectional strikes which started on the 2nd of August, even before the notice was
served, continued to spread from one section to another during the currency of the
notice period and at 1 a.m. on 24th August there was a complete stoppage of work.
On the advice of the Association, leadership the workers took possession of the
plant and shut them down between I a.m. and 6,30 a.m. on the 24th. The
Superintendents and other Managers could go inside the factory only at 6,30 a.m.
under Police escort. The strike went on for thirteen days. A conciliation agreement
was arrived on the 5th of September as a result of which the strike was withdrawn
from the noon of 6th September. I am glad to say that the terms of the agreement
are satisfactory from the company's point of view. The strike staged by the workers
on the advice of the Employees' Association was most untimely and illconceived.
Whatever disputes were there between the Management and the Association were
the subject matter of conciliation proceedings before the Labour Commissioner. For
the past six years and more, all disputes that arose between the Management and
the Employees' Association were arbitrated by the Labour Commissioner in
accordance with the terms of the long term agreement and both parties accepted
his decision. The Management was prepared to abide by the Labour Commissioner's
decisions in respect of all pending items of dispute. Although the Labour
Commissioner held several meetings with the Association leadership, no agreement
could be arrived at as the Association started raising new issues every time.
According to the settlement now arrived at, negotiations on the pending issues
commenced on the 20th of September 1965, between the Management and the
Association. Commissioning work of the third stage plants has begun. It is expected
that all the plants will be commissioned by December this year. You will remember
that the third stage expansion programme was taken up only in 1962. It is indeed
gratifying to state here that the work has been completed with speed, enabling, the
commissioning of the plants well within the target dates. Once these plants go into
full production your company will be producing 200,000 tonnes of ammonium
sulphate. 135,000 tonnes of ammonium phosphate (16:20) grade, 25,000 tonnes
tonammonium chloride and 14,000 tonnes of superphosphate in addition to being
able to make and supply 350,000 tonnes of NPK Mixtures. Full production however is
dependant'on two factors availability of power and raw materials. The additional
power required for operating the new plants is of the order of 20,000 KW, The Kerala
State Electricity Board has advised us that they would be able to supply that power
only in July 1966. Consequently we arc forced to make some adjustments until such
time full power is available. The emergency arising out of the armed conflict
imposed on us by Pakistan has had its effect on the availability of imported raw
materials and spares. A ship carrying large quantities of material for Us has been
confiscated at Karachi. Every effort is being made to secure law materials and to
keep the plants in operation. It should be remembered that we are almost entirely
dependant on imported raw materials like sulphur, and rock phosphate. Naphtha is
also produced at present out of imported crude oil. Continued operation of plants to
capacity will be therefore dependant on the conditions arising out of the emergency
so far as imports are concerned. Although the immediate future is beset with
difficulties on account of the shortage of power and a possible lack of raw materials,
the future promises an era of prosperity for your company. Modern technology
demands a minimum economic capacity of 600 tonnes a day for single stream
ammonia plants. Al l the new ammonia plants proposed to be set up in the country
during the Fourth Plan period are of a daily capacity of 600 tonnes or more. When
such plants come into being, units like the 260 tonne one belonging to your

company at Udyogamadal will become uneconomic by comparison unless they ca

be supported by larger plants of 600 tonnes capacity. Your company therefore has
taken the initiative to investigate the possibility of selling up such a large unit at a
site adjacent to the Cochin Refinery at Tripunithura in Ernakulam District and has
submitted a Project Report to the Government of India. I am glad tosay that the
Government of India have approved of the project and authorised your company to
proceed with its construction. The new unit which will be called the Cochin Fertiliser
factory will have an annual capacity of 200,000 tonnes of ammonia as against
87,000 tonnes at Udyogamandal. The products proposed for the Cochin Fertiliser
factory are urea, ammonium phosphate 20:20 and NPK complex fertilisers. The
plant will also be capable of producing higher analysis compound fertilisers. It is
estimated that the capital outlay on the Cochin Fertiliser factory would be of the
order of Rs. 400 million. According to present plans, the faclorv should go into
production in 1968-69 if the necessary foreign exchange is made available by the
Governmenl of India by October/November this year. The Udyogamandal and the
Cochin units will be under the common management of your company. In this
connection. I may be permitted to refer to the dynamic initiative and enthusiasm of
your Managing Director Shri M. K. K. Nayar, but for which, the above mentioned
scheme could not and would not have been conceived. On behalf of the Board I wish
to record our sense of appreciation of his tireless efforts in promoting the many
sided developments of y o u r Company, To enable the company to take up this
challenging task, proposals have been placed before you for raiding the authorised
capital and borrowing limits of the company. The additional funds required for this
purpose are expected to be obtained from the Government of India. Your company
has continued to develop the market in South India according to plan. In Madras
State, work has been intensified and from 1964 your company has undertaken the
distribution of nitrogen on behalf of the State Government in the three districts of
Coimbatore, Tiruchi and Tanjavur. Marketing activity in Mysore State has also been
stepped up. A mixing centre has started functioning in Mangalore with effect from
14th January this year. The company's agronomists have continued to do excellent
work in the Held rendering useful service to the farmers. Before I conclude I should
make special mention of the distinction conferred on your Company by the Indian
Chemical Manufacturers' Association. In the citation made at the time of
presentation of the first award of the ICMA by Professor Humayun Kabir, Minister for
Petroleum & Chemicals of the Government of India, the Association has commended
the work of your company in maintaining- its leadership in the fertiliser field, by
being the first to introduce in the country the use of electrolytic hydrogen and
naphtha for making synthesis gas and by the production of a compound fertiliser,
ammonium phosphate. Another notable contribution made by the company which
has come in for commendation is the development of process knowhow for using
byproduct gypsum from the wet process phosphoric acid plant for the production of
ammonium sulphate. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate the executives,
scientists and workers of the company for their well-merited distinction. I now move
that the Directors' Report: and the audited statement of accounts for the year 1961-65 be and are hereby adopted. N. B. This does not purport to be a report of the
proceedings of the General Meeting.