Turmoil takes heavy toll on rice milling sector in Jhenidah

JHENIDAH, Jan 19: Rice milling sector is undergoing a dire crisis Jhenidah district due to the enforcement of the countrywide blockade coupled with hartal.
"If the situation goes on due to lack of transportation, uneven prices of rice will prevail in different parts throughout the country. Our business will come to a closure," said some millers of various places, including Dakbangla and Gopalpur bazars of the district.
There are 10 automatic rice mills, around 100 husking mills and over 400 Chatals (paddy drying yards) here. Among them, five auto rice mills, 50 husking mills and nearly 300 yards are at Dakbangla bazar alone in Sadar Upazila.
Activities in the establishments under the district have drastically reduced to nearly a half. Men related with this industry expressed a tremendous concern over the disquiet situation prevailing in the country.
Alauddin Al Mamun, proprietor of Ifad Auto Rice Mills Ltd at Dakbangla Trimohani told the FE, "My business is facing a serious setback due to the turmoil. About 200 workers in my auto rice mills are passing days almost without tasks. I will go bankrupt if the situation persists."
Moyazzem Hossain, owner of Zohan Agro Food Ltd said he cannot bring paddy needed to run his auto rice mills. Supply of rice to places remains suspended. Besides, rice bran cannot be sent to North Bengal due to the blockade causing a big loss as the item gets damaged after one week. About 150 labourers are suffering from lack of work in his mills. Truck fare has already doubled, added Moyazzem.
Humayun Kabir Shahin, owner of Zoarder Rice Mill at Dakbangla Bazar said he was frustrated over business in his mill. Buyers cannot come here due to unsteady situation throughout the country.
Tapon Kundu, owner of Progoti Auto Rice Mill at Haat Gopalpur Bazar said that they are incurring huge losses. Though they can sell a small amount of rice to the wholesalers they are not getting paid properly on the plea of the blockade.
Zahangir Hossain, director of Saidur Rahman Agro Product Ltd at Gopalpur Bazar said that running of their business is threatened by the continuous blockade, sometimes coupled with hartal.
Abul Kashem, owner of a yard at Dakbangla Trimohani said, "My Chatal is on the verge of closure as supply of rice from the bazar has almost stopped."
Sokina Begum, a worker at a rice mill at the bazar said, "We are suffering a lot for lack of jobs here."