NATORE. Sept 8: rhe North Bengal Paper Mills has been facing closure due to fund crisis and mismanagement.

The paper mill incurred a loss of Taka 150 crore during the last 20 years, it is learnt.

A source of the mill Informed this correspondent that the mill achieved production target during the previous years.

The mill was set up on 134 acres of land on the bank of the river Padma under Ishurdi in 1967.

It was established with the financial assistance from Germany, Italy and France.

The mill went on trial production in 1970 and it could not go into commercial production at scheduled time for liberation war.

During the trial production, the mill produced 2,6,57 metric tons of paper. The mill exceeded production target in 1980-81, it is Informed.

At present, the mill has a capacity to produce 15,000 metric tons of paper annually.

According to mill sources, the mill incurred a loss of Taka 14.45 crore in 1992-93 financial

year while it faced Taka 17.25 crore loss in 1991-92. It also incurred Taka 10.70 crore loss in 1990-91 financial year.

The mill authority informed that higher prices of spare parts, furnace oil and alum soda forced the mill to incur the losses. Irregular power supply, water crisis, surplus staff and the administrative apathy of BCIC are also responsible for the losses.

The mill Is to spend Taka five crore every year to procure furnace oil, an unavoidable raw material.

It is learnt that furnace oil is Imported at Taka 3.500 per metric ton but the same Is supplied to the mill at Taka 8,000 per metric ton.

About 1.10 metric ton of furnace oil is needed to produce one metric ton of paper, it is informed.

The mill requires 4.50 MW of electricity but the PDB supplies only 75 per cent-of the total requirement

The mill is to Incur a loss of Taka 1.50 lakh every year due to irregularities in power supply.

The mill also Incurs Taka 1.03 crore loss per year as cos-tic soda is used instead of soda ash in the pulp production process.

The mill also face water crisis particularly during dry seasons as the river Padma become dry at that time. The mill is to spend Taka 35 to 40 lakh for dredging the river to continue water supply.

About 12,000 gallons of water is needed per hour for manufacturing paper, it is learnt.

The mill is to pay Taka 50 lakh for the excess staff.

The bagasse from different sugar mills was the main raw material. But; no steps were taken to supply these. There are opportunities to use Sylhet pulp. Jute-stalk, straw as raw materials.

If the mill is closed, the country will face heavy economic losses and over 10,000 staff of the mill will be unemployed, 11 is gathered.

The people demand that the government should take immediate appropriate steps so that the mill can run smoothly and profitably.