Setabganj Sugar Mills starts operation despite loss
Sunday, 27 December 2009
DINAJPUR, Dec 26 (UNB): Setabganj Sugar Mills, the lone heavy industry in the district, has started operation with a loss of Tk 887.2 million (Tk 88.72 crore).
Local Awami League lawmaker Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury inaugurated the operation of the mill as the chief guest at a simple ceremony here Friday.
The mill had set a target to produce 4,125 tonnes of sugar by crushing 55,000 tonnes of sugarcane during the current season.
Ranjit Kumar Biswas, chairman of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation, and Parimal Chandra Saha, joint-secretary of the water resources ministry, attended the inaugural ceremony as special guests.
In the fiscal 2008-09, the mill produced 3,515 tonnes of sugar in 45 days from 55,206 tonnes of sugarcane while the target was 7,500 tonnes of sugar from 98,000 tonnes of sugarcane.
Established 66 years ago on 252 acres of land, the mill was shut down in 1974 immediately after the independence. The mill resumed its operation in 1998 after necessary repairing, the sources said.
Local sugarcane farmers alleged that the mill incurred losses due to corruption, mismanagement and lack of effective measures and proper planning.
Managing Director of the mill M Al-Amin said the production would continue for the next 30 days.
Local Awami League lawmaker Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury inaugurated the operation of the mill as the chief guest at a simple ceremony here Friday.
The mill had set a target to produce 4,125 tonnes of sugar by crushing 55,000 tonnes of sugarcane during the current season.
Ranjit Kumar Biswas, chairman of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation, and Parimal Chandra Saha, joint-secretary of the water resources ministry, attended the inaugural ceremony as special guests.
In the fiscal 2008-09, the mill produced 3,515 tonnes of sugar in 45 days from 55,206 tonnes of sugarcane while the target was 7,500 tonnes of sugar from 98,000 tonnes of sugarcane.
Established 66 years ago on 252 acres of land, the mill was shut down in 1974 immediately after the independence. The mill resumed its operation in 1998 after necessary repairing, the sources said.
Local sugarcane farmers alleged that the mill incurred losses due to corruption, mismanagement and lack of effective measures and proper planning.
Managing Director of the mill M Al-Amin said the production would continue for the next 30 days.