Baglung, January 13:

Over 90 per cent of cottage industries in Baglung have been affected by load-shedding. Many of them have closed down. Furniture and block factories, mills and computer institutes are the most affected.

Ranasingh Thapa, who bought a block factory for Rs 80,000 two months ago, said the factory had become a burden for him. While the factory is not operational full-time due to power crisis, he has been paying two staffers each a salary of Rs 10,000 per month besides food. He said he was planning to close the factory.

Manager of Galaxy Educational Helpline, Gyan Bahadur Singh, said his business was collapsing due to load-shedding. He said he was not able to

earn enough to pay the house rent. He has been paying Rs 42,000 a month in house rent.

Secretary of Baglung Chambers of Commerce and Industry Basanta Kumar Shrestha said over 90 per cent industries were in crisis due to the power shortage. There are 65 industries registered at the chamber that operate with electricity. He said the

concerned authorities should make alternative arrangements for the operation of industries.

Meanwhile, around 60 per cent of industries are about to shut down in Dhanusha also.

In a press release, chairman of the Janakpur Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Shyam Kumar Shah said business and production have come down because of load shedding.

Business has decreased by 75 per cent while cases of theft and robbery have gone up. The condition of cement, milk, ply, paper, hardware factories and rice mills and others is deteriorating everyday.