Haldia Petrochemicals seeks Rs 100 cr loan from WB govt

PTI Updated - April 12, 2013 at 07:37 PM.

A view of naphtha cracker unit of Haldia Petrochemicals. A view of naphtha cracker unit of Haldia Petrochemicals.

Ailing Haldia Petrochemicals (HPL) today said it has sought a loan of Rs 100 crore from the West Bengal government.

“We have asked for Rs 100 crore loan from the state government. The group of ministers has approved it. Once the Finance Minister Amit Mitra joins office, we will take it forward,” Partha Chatterjee, Chairman and Industry Minister, HPL said after meeting Japanese Ambassador Takeshi Yagi.

The West Bengal Industry Development Corporation, the state-owned nodal agency, is co-promoter of the ailing petrochemical major.

The state government loan would be offered to WBIDC which in turn would pump it in HPL.

Chatterjee did not offer clarity on whether the infusion would be as working capital loan or as equity.

The company is suffering from huge working capital shortage and had defaulted in repayment of loans. Lenders are also seeking equity infusion from promoters before removal of the freeze on extending further loan to the ailing petrochemical company.

Also, both the major promoters WBIDC and TCG Group are embroiled in a legal battle for control of the company.

Chatterjee said Delloite, hired as transaction adviser, has not submitted any report so far on disinvestment by the state government.

Published on April 12, 2013 14:05