Digboi youths claim that contracts for refinery expansion worth Rs. 740 crore contain irregularities.

Serious concerns have been raised by the unemployed youths from Digboi’s rural areas over alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts for the Digboi Refinery Expansion Project in Assam’s Tinsukia district.

The project, worth Rs 740.20 crores, aims to boost the refinery’s capacity from 0.65 to 1 million metric tons per annum. Youths allege that work was handed over to a few select parties, including businessman Hemanta Agarwal and three others, bypassing local contractors after Keller Ground Engineering India Pvt. Ltd. was given the initial contract.

The sourcing of over 6,000 cubic feet of minor minerals exclusively from Arunachal’s Roing-based crusher mills, allegedly sidelining Assam’s suppliers, was one of the major issues. Local contractors claim their identical samples were rejected unfairly, hinting at favoritism.

Additionally, the district administration held a meeting after which 33% of the civil work was reportedly handed to a group called the Unemployed Union of Digboi. Hence, claiming syndication and exclusion of many deserving youths, locals now question this group’s legitimacy.

Authorities have been urged by the media groups, student bodies, and concerned locals to ensure transparency and fairness, which has further escalated the tension. For urgent intervention, a formal plea has been submitted to top officials, including the deputy commissioner and Assam’s industries minister.

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