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KNM virtually shut down |
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November 18, 2000
The Daily Star -- Resumption of production in Khulan Newsprint Mills (KNM) is not possible unless funds are provided. Production in the mill is stopped since November 9 due to lack of furnace oil, pulp and other raw materials. KNM authorities said the mill has no funds to purchase the inputs, which cost Tk eight lakh daily. The oil companies and the Sundarbans Forest Division have stopped supply of oil and Gewa wood for non-payment of huge outstanding bills, a top official of KNM told this morning. The mill owes Tk 30 crore to oil companies, TK 15 crore to the Sundarban Forest division, Tk 20 crore to the Power Development Board and TK 40 crore to Sonali Bank, the official said. "We are expecting a cheque for Tk 50 lakh as advance from Bangladesh Book Publishers Association on condition of supplying newsprint to it" he said. The mill is virtually closed down, some dealers and buyers claimed. They made advance payments totaling about TK two crore for supply of newsprint, and are now planning to go to court to realize the money, they said. Publishers of some dailies and weeklies made advance payments tolling over Tk one crore for supply of newsprint. On the other hand, publishers of two Dhaka dailies owe huge amounts to the production section said. The stoppage of production has created labor unrest. Last month's salary and wages have not yet been paid to employees and workers, who have threatened to go for a tough movement for resumption of production. Some CBA leaders alleged that inefficiency and corruption of a section of officials are responsible for the present state of the mill. Production was stopped four times in the last six months due to mechanical problem. There has been virtually no effort by the authorities and the government to keep the mill running, a local parliament member from the ruling party said. |