Production suspended at KHBM
Our Correspondent | Wednesday, 27 August 2008
KHULNA, Aug 26: The production of Khulna Hard Board Mill (KHBM) remained suspended for last six days due to mechanical fault and crisis of raw materials. As a result it is facing financial losses worth Tk 0.35 million a day.
Concerned sources said the KHBM was closed on December 15, 2002 for financial crisis and raw materials and the mill was re-started on August 15, 2005. However, a new crisis of raw materials arose again. Primary refiner motor of the mill was out of order since August 20 and the production was completely suspended from that day.
The faulty primary refiner motor is worth about Tk 10 million and it will take more than one year for repair by a Canadian company, because it was made by Canada, mill authority sources said. The BCIC has formed a two-member committee in this connection and they are trying to run the mill in an alternative way within a week. Moreover, four motors of the mill will have to be sent to Canada for repair and it would require about Tk. 40 million. If the BCIC does not bear the cost, the experts apprehend, the KHBM will be closed permanently.
Khalilur Rahman Khan, managing director of the KHBM, said the mill faces production loss Tk 0.35 million per day. He also said the sugarcane fibre is used as raw material in the mill. Meanwhile, 350 tonnes of sugarcane fibres have been purchased.
On the other hand, a meeting of the Council of Advisers will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at Khulna Circuit House. On the occasion of this meeting the people of Khulna including Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Khulna Unnayan Sangram Committee, Nagorik Committee and other social organisations will demand gas supply through pipe line, re-opening of Khulna Newsprint Mills, Daulatpur Jute Mill, completion of the construction of Khanjahan Ali Airport and overall development of southwestern region including Mongla port.
Concerned sources said the KHBM was closed on December 15, 2002 for financial crisis and raw materials and the mill was re-started on August 15, 2005. However, a new crisis of raw materials arose again. Primary refiner motor of the mill was out of order since August 20 and the production was completely suspended from that day.
The faulty primary refiner motor is worth about Tk 10 million and it will take more than one year for repair by a Canadian company, because it was made by Canada, mill authority sources said. The BCIC has formed a two-member committee in this connection and they are trying to run the mill in an alternative way within a week. Moreover, four motors of the mill will have to be sent to Canada for repair and it would require about Tk. 40 million. If the BCIC does not bear the cost, the experts apprehend, the KHBM will be closed permanently.
Khalilur Rahman Khan, managing director of the KHBM, said the mill faces production loss Tk 0.35 million per day. He also said the sugarcane fibre is used as raw material in the mill. Meanwhile, 350 tonnes of sugarcane fibres have been purchased.
On the other hand, a meeting of the Council of Advisers will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at Khulna Circuit House. On the occasion of this meeting the people of Khulna including Khulna Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Khulna Unnayan Sangram Committee, Nagorik Committee and other social organisations will demand gas supply through pipe line, re-opening of Khulna Newsprint Mills, Daulatpur Jute Mill, completion of the construction of Khanjahan Ali Airport and overall development of southwestern region including Mongla port.