Dhankuta, December 6

One year after its construction completed, an industrial village built in Dhankuta has yet to come into operation, thanks to lack of mandatory procedures to operate the facility.

The industrial village, which was constructed at the cost of Rs 50 million some 35 years after it was first proposed, is spread over 64 ropani land in Atmara, Dhankuta Municipality-6. Cottage and Small Industry Office Dhankuta Chief Dinesh Dhungana said the village had not come into operation due to lack of mandatory procedures.

“The facility was conceptualised and built with the view of supporting small and micro-enterprises, but the target group is yet to benefit from the facility as it awaits operation for want of necessary procedure,” Dhungana said.

“We also have some fund to manage the facility, but as it is yet to come into operation and the allocated budget has remained idle,” said Dhungana. Locals have blamed the non-operation of the industrial village on poor cooperation between the provincial ministry concerned and cottage industry office of Dhankuta.

“In principle the facility would be run by forming cooperation mechanism among stakeholders and thereby formulating necessary procedure, but as the provincial government has been apathetic to bring the facility into operation, the property is gathering dust,” said a staffer.

Following the completion of its construction, then industry minister Matrika Prasad Yadav had handed over the facility to Industry, Tourism and Forest Ministry of the provincial government amidst a programme here on June 2, this year.

Industry Federation Dhankuta Chairperson Bijaya Santoshi Rai said, “Construction of the facility had elated many entrepreneurs who were looking forward to operating from the facility, but to no avail.”