The entrepreneurs have been facing troubles in establishing auto-bricks factories in Jhenidah as the banks are virtually not showing interest in financing for the new trading in the area. On the other hand, the number of unhygienic and environment polluting kilns increased in the district.
An entrepreneur said that usually any entrepreneur can set up an ordinary kiln for burning bricks with coal and wood, requires Tk one to two crore. The smoking produced from those kilns pollute environment and require huge fuel. On the other hand, an auto-bricks kiln requires at least Tk 20 crore which could not be managed by any individual. The banks could play vital role in financing. But the banks usually show their least interest in this regard.
The entrepreneur further said that his kiln might be started by the next season. It will not produce hazardous smoke during curing of the bricks as they are dried in machine automatically faster. Further, the auto bricks ensure better finishing and quality, he said.
Former president of Jhenidah district Chamber and Commerce Industry Mir Nasir Uddin said that the entrepreneurs, who have been showing interest in setting up auto-bricks kilns, are facing many troubles as the banks do not show their interest for financing. The financial institutions as well as the government have to consider the environment as well as the interest of the local people, he added.
A number of people in the rural areas said they have been facing health and environment troubles as the local brick kilns produce huge smoke.
Manager of Jhenidah branch of Dutch-Bangla Bank Mahbub Ali Mridha said they are worried when a growing auto-bricks kiln was in trouble due to their week management. Since then they have to think the matter again and again as it requires huge liquid money. The trouble is expected to go within a short time, he added.
According to sources of DC office in Jhenidah, only 18 local brick kilns out of total 92 in the district have valid documents for running the business, while remaining 74 do not have any papers.
Deputy Commissioner Saroj Kumar Nath said they will take action against the dishonest brick kiln owners who had been running illegally.
