Rajbiraj, June 13

Gajendra Narayan Singh Industrial Estate of Saptari, Rajbiraj, has failed to collect millions of rupees in rent from the industries set up here.

Of the 10 sheds of the industrial estate, eight are occupied, but most of the industries based here haven’t paid rent for long.

“As most of the industries have been occupying the sheds for long without bringing their plants into operation, the due amount is increasing every month and year,” said Gopal Bhandari, chief of the Gajendra Narayan Industrial Estate management office.

According to him, only one industry is in operation from the estate at present.

“Except for New Milan Dairy Industry, no other industry has started operation so far,” informed Bhandari, adding, “All Nepalese Tea and Coffee Industry, Padmajyoti Plastic Industry, Mahalaxmi Food Industry and S &Co Electrodes Pvt Ltd owe Rs 550,000, 350,000, 700,000 and 881,000 respectively in rent to the industrial estate.”

Further, Bhandari lamented the apathy of the concerned industries towards paying the due rent, despite frequent notices.

“We’ve been notifying them to pay the amount for the past one year but to no avail. While most of the industries’ proprietors are out of contact, those who are in contact too are demanding a waiver of the rent, which we can’t afford,” said Bhandari.

Meanwhile, the concerned industrialists have blamed the industrial estate.