KATHMANDU: After an eight-day closure, Balaju Industrial District Area (BIDA) reopened today. However, BIDA president Jagat Bahadur Rayamajhi complained of government apathy. He added that even when they informed the administration, it tried to shift the blame on them saying they had not given any written notice to the ministry.

Rayamajhi said BIDA reopened on the basis of mutual understanding between the management and striking workers. He added that there was no effort from the government’s side to facilitate the reopening. “We are going to hold the salary and benefits for all eight days that BIDA was closed,” he added.

On August 9, the BIDA management submitted a three-point memorandum to Industrial Area Management Ltd (IAML). BIDA also demanded IAML bear all losses that occurred during the closure period. It claimed compensation for industrial infrastructure getting vandalised during the closure. Electricity charges and other additional charges would also not be paid to IAML until BIDA reopened, it said.

Rayamajhi said they would call on the Ministry of Labour and Transport Management (MOLTM) secretary and ask him to declare the eight days closure illegal as the shutdown occurred without prior information. “If things do not go positively, we will move on with complete closure of the industrial area,” said Rayamajhi.

Though there was assurance from the ministerial level to reopen the industrial area at the earliest, no step was taken in this regard for eight days. State Minister for Home Affairs Rizwan Ansari and Minister for Industries Mahendra Ray Yadav had assured of relief.