Govt all set to revive Birgunj Sugar Factory

The government has appointed Raj Kumar Singh of Asanpur-3 in Siraha as the chairman of Birgunj Sugar Factory.
Once the seven-member gets complete shape, the government will ask it to identify was for reviving the factory that has remained closed for almost a decade, Yam Kumari Khatiwada, joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry (MoI), told Republica.
According to Khatiwada, the board has Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD) and MoI as members. Similarly, other three members should be appointed from amongst experts in industrial and agriculture sectors.
"We have already asked MoF and MoAD to send their representatives in the board. The MoI will appoint the remaining three members very soon,” she added.
Apart from exploring ways to bring the factory back into operation, Khatiwada said the board will also suggest ways to get rid of 193 employees who have refused the government´s golden handshake scheme. The board will also suggest the government whether or not to hand over management of the factory to the private sector.
Meanwhile, Public Enterprises (PE) Board has suggested the government to hand over the factory to the private sector. “The formation of full-fledged BoD of Birgunj Sugar Factory is line with our recommendations,” Bimal Wagle, CEO of PE Board, said.
Earlier in 2009, the then finance ministry Babu Ram Bhattarai, who is now the Prime Minister, declared that he wanted to see the factory back into operation.