Adilur Rahman Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Industries, said they are taking initiatives to open all the closed sugar mills in the country in phases.
The Adviser came up with the assertion while talking to the journalists during a visit to Setabganj Suger Mill in Dinajpur on Saturday.
Chairman of the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation, Dr Lipika Bhadra, Additional Superintendent of Police of Dinajpur Sadar Circle Sheikh Jinnah Al Mamun, and leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement were also present at the time.
The Adviser said that a task force committee, which includes sugarcane farmers, has been formed to restart the closed sugar mills. A total of Tk 100 crore was initially allocated for this purpose, and another Tk 100 crore will be allocated again. He emphasized that Setabganj Sugar Mill is a promising establishment, and efforts are underway to bring it back into operation.
Meanwhile on Friday afternoon, at the inaugural ceremony of the cane crushing season at North Bengal Sugar Mill in Gopalpur area under Lalpur upazila of Natore, the Adviser also said that all the closed sugar mills will be opened again. He highlighted initiatives to boost sugar production and reduce imports. A task force committee has been formed to identify and address obstacles to reopening the mills. He expressed hope that with public support, combined efforts, and determination, these goals would be achieved. He added, ‘we aim to set the stage for change, and future governments will continue this progress.’
During the inauguration, Adilur Rahman Khan also explained the challenges in transforming the socio-economic landscape in underdeveloped areas with fewer industries. He stressed the importance of collective efforts to overcome these challenges and initiate a trajectory of change, on which the later governments will be able to build the country.
It is mentionable that the Setabganj Sugar Mill, one of the largest in the country, was shut down in 2020. Despite various initiatives since then, the mill has yet to resume operations.
