Surkhet chamber holds 19th general assembly

RSS

SURKHET: Central member of the Nepal Chambers of Commerce and industry Nirak K.C. Inaugurated the 19 th general assembly of the Surkhet branch of the chambers , yesterday. Speaking on the occasion, he called for co-ordination between the businessmen.Surkhet CDO Ram Krishna Bhurtel said the business sectors should be revived by initiating social and cultural activities. Chambers secretary Ram Krishna Lamichhane presented an annual report. Treasurer Trilochan Bagale presented an estimated budget of Rs. 1,218, 000 for the current fiscal year. At the function presided over by Surkhet chambers president Tek Bahadur Bhandari, various other speakers including mid-western bus operators association president Bishnu Khadka, truck and tractor operators association Surkhet president Surya Bahadur Khadka, Nepal Dalit Association central member Lok Bahadur B. K. and representatives of political parties also expressed their views.

BJM contract deal draws controversy

By A Staff Reporter

KATHMANDU, Sept 6: Lila Prasad Lohani, a management committee member of Biratnagar Jute Mills, has opposed the government's decision to hand over the mill to Arihanta Multi Fibre on contract for two years.

"The agreement with Arihanta is against the interest of the mill and its employees," said Lohani in a press statement today. Earlier, Arihanta's bid to lease one of Nepal's oldest mills was rejected because the conditions it put forward were unacceptable to the committee. One of the conditions was that the mill must pay a compensation of Rs. 500,000 daily to the company if the mill closes down. This is not a majority decision, as the management committee has four representatives of the government and two from the private sector, said Lohani. The government has a 46.5 per cent share in the mill.

The jute mill closed down 10 months ago, and has already incurred a loss of Rs. 650 million to date. When the mill was established 65 years ago, it had 100 per cent private investment. In 2051/052 BS, the government purchased 46.5 per cent equity. The management was then handed over on contract, and the mill rented out.

Due to misunderstanding with the contractors, the government has been facing lawsuits as well as claims amounting to millions of rupees. After the mill closed down due to financial crisis, the committee called for contract bids for five years. "We smell a conspiracy behind the awarding to Arihanta," Lohani claimed in a press statement. There were three bids, all registered by a single firm.
The Arihanta, which had earlier refused to lease the mill for not less than 25 years, has suddenly agreed to even operate it even if it is for two years.