BARISAL, June 5: The Barisal Textile Mills, one of the bigger Industrial units of the southern region of the country, was shut down today following an order of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC).

The government-owned industry, employing 1200 workers, has incurred a loss of Tk 25 crore since its installation in January 1979.

Informed sources said, procedures to privatise the mills have been completed recently and the closure was only a step tn that direction.

Located on an area of 28 acres, the mills with 25,000 spindles had to suspend production since April last after the BTMC stopped supplying it with cotton on credit The plant reportedly owes around Tk 10 to 12 crore to the BTMC.

The Power Development Board (PDB) earlier cut off electricity connection to the mills for its failure to pay about Tk 35 lakh in long over due bills.

Presently 700 families of the workers living In the mills premises are having to do without electricity and are also facing scarcity of drinking water.

Unsold low quality yarn worth Tk three crore are lying tn the mills godowns.

Meanwhile, about 500 workers of the mills have opted for voluntary retirement.

The workers union of the Barisal Textile Mills will hold a press conference In the town on Monday regarding the shut down.