FAI TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR SENIOR MAINTENANCE ENGINEERS IN FERTILISER INDUSTRY
A Training Programme for Senior Maintenance Engineers was organized at Goa during 17-23 September, 2006. The six-day programme was attended by 35 participants from 21 fertiliser plants. Shri B. K. Saha, Director General, FAI inaugurated the programme. Shri L. M. Chandrasekaran, Vice President (Oprns.) Zuari Industries Limited (ZIL) also addressed the participants.
Shri Saha in his inaugural address complimented the engineers in fertiliser plants for the excellent maintenance culture. It is reflected in low downtime in plants due to equipment failures. He further said that fertiliser industry was operating in a highly regulated environment where commercial decisions are sometimes affected by several factors related to pricing policy. He further said that India is unfairly compared with China. The two countries are operating in different systems of government. Ours is a political economy wherein every shade of opinion has to be taken into account before making economic decisions. Even at present juncture there are difficult choices in the policy area. However, he was hopeful that the emerging policy environment for the fertiliser industry would ensure health and growth of this vital sector of the economy.
Shri Chandrasekaran in his address pointed out that fertiliser industry was highly capital intensive and optimum use of assets was essential for the very survival of the industry. He cited the example of the ZIL wherein the operating factor of its complex fertiliser plant had been improved from 6200 to 7200 hours during last 3 years. This has been the result of continuous improvements in operation and maintenance practices in the plant. He further advised the participants that the operation and maintenance departments of a unit should work hand in hand to achieve the best results. He cited several examples of rectification of equipments in the Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) with the cooperation of the operation and maintenance personnel in the plant.
Earlier Dr. S. Nand, Director (Technical), FAI presented an account of activities of FAI for the development of human resources in the fertiliser sector. These activities included various workshops, group discussions, seminars and training programmes throughout the year for the plant personnel. He also advised the participants to take advantage of the website of the FAI where the useful information is posted regularly and a message board is also available for exchange of information. Giving details of the training programme, Dr. Nand mentioned that in addition to the faculty from within the industry, various independent experts and vendors had been invited to make presentations. The emphasis would be on the discussion and exchange of information through the case studies.
Shri Manish Goswami, Senior Technical Officer, FAI presented a vote of thanks at the end of the inaugural function.
The six-day programme included the lectures from senior persons from the industry, Dr. A.K. Lahiri, Consultant, Nickel Institute, Shri S. Raghavachari, Consultant and experts from L&T, Man Turbo Machinery, Forbes Marshall, Starflex Sealing India Ltd. and IFS Solutions-India. The programme also included a visit to the plants of ZIL and the workshop of Starflex Sealing India Ltd. in Goa.
Shri Anil Kapoor, Executive President, ZIL distributed the certificates to the participants at the conclusion of the programme. He appreciated the efforts of the FAI in bringing the engineers from various plants and experts in different areas to a single platform for meaningful discussion and exchange of information. The experience showed that participants derived immense benefits from such programmes. He mentioned that fertiliser industry was unique in a way that there was free flow of information amongst fertiliser units. It has helped every one to improve the overall productivity of the sector.
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