Hetauda, June 26:

Hetauda Textile Industry Ltd (HTIL) has called a tender for the second time to sell its property.

The Liquidator Office of HTIL had called a tender on May 21 for the first time. However, not a single tender was filed. Then, HTIL has extended the period of tender for 15 more days.

HTIL is trying to sell its property for at least Rs 160 million. “HTIL had called a tender for auction on May 21. Not a single bidder turned out within the period. Then, the tender was called for the second time on June 23,” said Pralhad Pokhrel, an official at HTIL. The factory has remained closed since last seven years, after providing Rs 250 million liabilities to its employees.

The government has decided to sell its property as they remained useless. HTIL is yet to pay Rs 530 million to the government. The Kathmandu-based Liquidation office of HTIL has issued a notice about the selling of its property on June 18 for the second time.

“HTIL has called the tender for 21 bighas of land, three buildings, all the equipments as-is-where-is-condition and laboratory,” said HTIL sources. The tender also gives an option to restart operation of the factory at the same place, if anyone wants to.

The Liquidation office has fixed Rs 37.9 million for land and building and Rs 10.9 million

for machines. There are altogether 3,500 equipments in the factory. However, the factory has already sold furniture, vehicles and garments.

Following the cabinet decision, the factory was closed on February 12, 2001. “HTIL had taken Rs 250 million from the government to provide liabilities of the staff, seven years before,” Pokhrel said. Hetaunda Textile Industry Ltd, once a profit making institution was operating well till 2047 BS. Currently, there are only 11 staff in the factory.