The state-owned Khulna Newsprint Mills, shut down in 2002 on ground of being a losing enterprise, is yet to be reopened despite frequent assurances from the incumbent government.
Re-opening of the mill was also one of the poll pledges of Awami League-led alliance.
The KNM managing director, Kazi Ruhul Amin, said the government was still committed to reopening the mill as early as possible.
The ministry of industries has asked the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology to furnish a report on findings about different aspects for reopening the mill. But BUET is yet to submit the report.
Necessary moves would be taken in phases to reopen it after receiving report on findings, MD Ruhul Amin said.
When contacted, the state minister for labour and employment, Begum Mannujan Sufian, also reiterated her government’s commitment to reopening the closed KNM.
On February 10 in 2009, the industries minister, Dilip Barua, and Begum Mannujan Sufian visited the mill to see for themselves its latest condition.
On March 5, 2011, prime minister Sheikh Hasina also reiterated in a public meeting at Khalishpur about her government’s decision to reopen all closed mills including KNM.
The managing director said more than Tk 60 lakh was being spent from the national exchequer for payment of salaries of 38 jobless employees and officials including security guards, electricity bills and other purposes every month.
Besides, many important machines have become fully inoperative getting rust. These machines need repairing and overhauling, he said.
Warehouses of KNM are being used for keeping imported fertilisers
while staff quarters have been turned into headquarters of RAB-6, he further said.
-With New Age input
