Brick kiln owners in Jessore say they might face heavy losses if hit by unavailability of coal during the peak season.
Leaders of Jessore Brick Kiln Owners’ Association are concerned that as many as 170 kilns could face closure if coal is not supplied from Barapukuria coal mine soon.
Addressing a press briefing at Jessore Press Club yesterday, leaders of the association said there has yet been no supply of coal from Barapukuria coal mine even though the peak season to make bricks has already come.
The written speech was read out by the association’s general secretary Kazi Nazer Ahmed Munnu at the briefing.
Kiln owners said they would import coal from India but are unable to do so now because an Indian court has ordered to stop exporting coal.
We cannot use wood as alternative fuel in making bricks as nearly 120 kilns in the district were constructed using the zig-zag technology in compliance with a directive of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, they said.
The speakers called on the government to take effective measures in order to help them avoid possible financial losses.