HETAUNDA: Pralhad Humagain, a resident of Hetauda-2, who had been waiting to join the textile sector for work, is a frsutated man. he has decided to go abroad. Humagain said, “I decided to go abroad for employment as the government decided not to re-operate the textile industry here.” Humagain is only one example of hundreds of youths who have been waiting for jobs in the textile industry and who are worried after the government decided not to reopen the industry.

The UCPN-Maoist-led government had decided to prioritize textile industries but the present government decided not to. A decade ago, more than 1200 workers were employed in a single textile mill. The erstwhile Maoist-led government had allocated Rs 8,29,200,00 for the maintenance of the textile industry here. The workers lost hope after the Minister for Industries Mahendra Prasad Yadav stated publicly that it would be better to hand over the industries to the private sector. The minister had also claimed that the government should not run such industries. The factory was closed as there was over-politicization there as well as appointment of unqualified operators under political pressure. However, factory general manager Bijayaraj Upadhyaya claimed that they were planning to reopen the industry with the previous budget even though the present government has not allocated budget for the industry.

Three hundred workers would be employed in a single shift if the industry resumes its work. Upadhyaya said, “At least 95 per cent of the machines of the factory are in operating condition.’’ The industry is spreads over an area of 236 ropanis.

The cabinet decided not to reopen the factory, reversing the previous government’s decision. Upadhyaya said that though the Maoist-led government had allocated Rs eight crores for the operation of the industry, they had invested Rs 21,500,000 for maintenance work. He claimed that the industry was ready for operations.

Some 73 staffers are still working at the factory. Of them, one is general manager Upadhyaya , 63 workers are in the factory, three are in the administration section and six are security guards. Upadhaya said that besides the three staffers in the administration the others were appointed 7 months ago. All of them are on contract.