Kathmandu. Hetauda Cement Industry, which has been reeling under economic crisis, has been demanded to run the cement industry regularly. The industries have been facing the fate of shutting down and opening again due to the economic crisis as the government is preparing to reopen the sick industries. The Hetauda industry, which has been facing various problems due to the government’s announcement of operating closed industries, should also be run in regular and full capacity.

Lawmaker Prakash Gautam has given priority to the issue of how the cement industry can be resumed. He further said that he was taking initiatives with the federal and Bagmati state governments for the regular operation of Hetauda Cement Industry by resolving the problems.

“I have talked to the Prime Minister and the Industry Minister regarding how the Hetauda Cement Industry can be resumed,” Gautam said, adding, “I also held discussions with the Chief Minister of Bagmati Province some days ago regarding this matter. I have also interacted with the employees of the industry on this issue and have received good suggestions from everyone. ‘

“There is a possibility that the industry can be run if it becomes service-oriented, salary-only after becoming government rather than commercial,” he said, adding, “There is a possibility that the industry can be run if the political interference in the industry, corruption in the country is stopped and a new management team can be formed.” “That’s why I am striving for that, I am confident that we will get positive results soon,” he said.

According to the industry administration, in the current fiscal year 2082/83, the industry has come into operation only for five days from September 1 to September 9. The industry produced 2,500 tons of clinker and around 30,000 sacks of cement during the period, said the industry’s officiating general manager Dr Shiva Narayan Shah.

Though the industry had resumed production of clinker from March 27, it was halted again due to lack of raw materials. Acting chief of the mill, Dr Sah said that the industry would be closed again in a day or two as the company could not bring coal as it could not pay the old dues even though tender was called for the purchase of coal last month.

“Clinker is being produced from the existing raw materials, cement is produced from clinker and packing,” said Acting General Manager Saha, adding, “Production will come to a halt in one or two days from now, but the regular expenses remain the same.” As a result, there is talk of increasing financial problems in the industry, he said.

“If the industry operates daily, we need at least 120 tons of raw materials daily,” he said, adding, “But that is not the case and there is no possibility of importing coal immediately as the old payment for coal has not been made.” Apart from this, due to financial problems, the employees have not been able to pay the extra time work.

The factory has 318 employees including 166 permanent, 100 daily wagers and 52 security personnel. Due to financial problems, the electricity authority has not been able to pay the electricity tariff for a long time. “We consumed electricity but could not pay the bills,” he said, adding, “Although we cannot say how much dues are yet to be paid, around Rs 30-400 million is still pending.” Therefore, it is not possible to ask the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) to supply electricity regularly, he said.

The factory, established in 2033 BS at Lamsure of Hetauda, had started production of cement in 2043 BS. Technicians say that the equipment is outdated and not in a good state to produce properly.