KATHMANDU: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Dilendra Prasad Badu has assured that the government will make attempts to re-operate Biratnagar Jute Mills, the first industry of Nepal.
Minister Badu made such remarks after an on-site visit to the Biratnagar Jute Mills, which is currently shut down. Prior to this, two former industry ministers had also made such commitment but failed to do so.
Back in 2018, the then Industry Minister Matrika Prasad Yadav had also visited Biratnagar Jute Mills on May 5 and pledged to reopen the defunct industry. Before that, the then Industry Minister Mahesh Basnet had also made the same announcement. However, Nilhari Kafle, who was appointed the chairman of the mill by Basnet, was dragged into a controversy and subsequently stepped down.
Minister Badu has once again assured to operate the mill along with Janakpur Cigarette Factory, Nepal Metal Industry, Gorakhali Rubber Industry, Hetauda Textile, Birgunj Sugar Mill among other sick industries.
Badu said that the government is conducting feasibility study to revive Janakpur Cigarette Factory.
Talking to media persons after monitoring the factory that is defunct at present, Minister Badu informed that the government would take decision after conducting studies on modalities to re-operate sick industries across the country.
Minister Badu said he was making on-site visit of the factory as a part of the government’s plan to re-operate sick industries. The government, he added, aimed to reduce trade deficit by substituting imports in collaboration with the private sector. He added that the government intends to increase productivity and create job opportunities through this initiative.
The minister said that he arrived in Janakpur to take stock of the “once very famous factory” and the condition of its machineries as well as its assets.
He was accompanied by Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development of Madhesh Province Ram Saroj Yadav and provincial government’s employees among others.