Khulna Newsprint Mills could not resume production even after more than 10 years of its closure since 2002, reported UNB.
According to sources, no initiative has been taken from the state level so far to reopen the mill, though it was among the current government’s election pledges to reopen all the shut down mills and factories.
However, the government has been spending monthly Tk750,000 in purposes like salary of the employees, electricity bill and other maintenance of the factory totalling around Tk100m till now.
Earlier, on January 8, 2002, production of the mill was suspended due to increase in furnace oil price, and finally it was shut down on November 30 of the same year following a government decision.
Since then, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has spent the mentioned above money for maintenance of the industrial unit, sources said.
Of the total amount per month, Tk300,000 is spent for electricity bill and Tk350,000 for salary of 56 officials and employees, while the rest amount of money is being spent for maintenance of the guest house, electrical and water pump and office rooms.
In the early 2009, a nine-member committee was formed to study the economic and technical viability of the factory, following a visit by Jute and Textiles Minister Abdul Latif Siddique, Industries Minister Dilip Barua and State Minister for Labour and Employment Munnujan Sufian visited the mill.
On February 25, 2010, the committee sent a letter to the BCIC head office saying reopening of the mill would require about Tk450m.
According to the mill authorities, total due of the mill is now around Tk4.88bn, while the property of the mill worth Tk4.34bn.
Meanwhile, Industries Minister Dilip Barua repeatedly assured journalists that the mill would be reopened, but sources said it could not be reopened as all machineries of the mill have been damaged.
But sources also cited that the ministry was unwilling to reopen the mill fearing further loss.
The mill was established on 103 acres of land in 1957-58. It started experimental production in 1959.