'Private sector to run jute mills'

Jute and Textiles Adviser M Anwarul Iqbal yesterday said the government is encouraging operation of jute industries by private entrepreneurs as BJMC-run jute mills failed to be profitable during the last 37 years of independence.
The adviser was addressing the function arranged on the occasion of handing over the operation of Peoples Jute Mills to Kazi Firms Ltd.
The government has so par paid Tk 173 crore to workers against their arrears while rest of the workers' arrear dues will be paid shortly, he said.
A group of corrupt officials of local BJMC office temporarily appointed 401 workers in Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills through forgery for illegal monetary gain, he said, adding that legal action would be taken against those corrupt BJMC officials after probe into the incident.
However, the 401 victims of forgery would be provided with jobs in leased Peoples Jute Mills if they can prove their skill, he said.
BJMC Chairman Md Ataharul Islam, Khulna Deputy Commissioner SM Feroze Alam, KMP Commissioner Helauddin Badri, Peoples Jute Mills Managing Director Kazi Zahedul Hasan and Director Kazi Zahin Hasan addressed the handing over function of the mill.
Kazi Firms Ltd got lease of Peoples Jute Mills early this month for yearly payment of Tk 6 crore 13 lakh to BJMC.
State-owned Peoples Jute Mills was shut down on August 1 last year with loans and liabilities amounting to over Tk 400 crore.