Production of KPM hampered due to lack raw-materials
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Oct 11: Normal production of Karnaphuli Paper Mills (KPM) Ltd is being hampered due to lack of required raw-materials and the mill is now on the verge of closure.
Production in the lone nationalised paper mill of the country declined alarmingly, as there is no adequate stock of bamboo and pulpwood two main raw materials with the suppliers, concerned sources said.
Instead of normal production of 110 metric tonnes of paper daily, KPM can now produce only 20 to 30 metric tonnes.
It is learnt, Kaptai Pulpwood Garden Division is the main source of raw materials of KPM. The garden division was established under the Forest Division mainly to meet the needs of raw materials of KPM. As there is no adequate reserve of pulpwood in the Kaptai pulpwood garden, contractors supplying raw materials to the mill are not participating in the tenders of the mill.
According to the concerned sources, KPM authorities invited tenders as many as 10 times for supplying raw materials during last two months but the concerned tenderers refrained from participating.
Investigations revealed that, despite allocation of government fund for re-afforestation of Kaptai pulpwood gardens concerned range officials of the Forest Department allegedly embezzled the allotted fund. Apart from that in collaboration with the range officials a huge quantity of pulpwood worth millions of taka is also being trafficked from the Kaptai pulpwood garden division. Under the circumstances, KPM is facing acute crisis of raw materials.
Moreover, an organised gang is trying to create a situation when the only nationalised paper mill is forced to close down, sources alleged.
CHITTAGONG, Oct 11: Normal production of Karnaphuli Paper Mills (KPM) Ltd is being hampered due to lack of required raw-materials and the mill is now on the verge of closure.
Production in the lone nationalised paper mill of the country declined alarmingly, as there is no adequate stock of bamboo and pulpwood two main raw materials with the suppliers, concerned sources said.
Instead of normal production of 110 metric tonnes of paper daily, KPM can now produce only 20 to 30 metric tonnes.
It is learnt, Kaptai Pulpwood Garden Division is the main source of raw materials of KPM. The garden division was established under the Forest Division mainly to meet the needs of raw materials of KPM. As there is no adequate reserve of pulpwood in the Kaptai pulpwood garden, contractors supplying raw materials to the mill are not participating in the tenders of the mill.
According to the concerned sources, KPM authorities invited tenders as many as 10 times for supplying raw materials during last two months but the concerned tenderers refrained from participating.
Investigations revealed that, despite allocation of government fund for re-afforestation of Kaptai pulpwood gardens concerned range officials of the Forest Department allegedly embezzled the allotted fund. Apart from that in collaboration with the range officials a huge quantity of pulpwood worth millions of taka is also being trafficked from the Kaptai pulpwood garden division. Under the circumstances, KPM is facing acute crisis of raw materials.
Moreover, an organised gang is trying to create a situation when the only nationalised paper mill is forced to close down, sources alleged.