The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Khulna

Some 30,000 people have become jobless as so far 23 big salt industries closed down in Khulna district reportedly for shortage of funds and reluctance on part of authorities concerned. The hapless people were involved directly or indirectly with those salt-refining industries. The salt factories in the coastal district are the largest in terms of production capacity and they play a major role in fulfilling demand for refined salt of different industries in the country.

Main users of salt are leather, detergent, soap, oral saline, pharmaceutical, dye chemical and textile industries. Apart from feeding those industries, the salt industries are also major contributor to the nation's programme for removing malnutrition. A total of 35 big salt iodizing industries are situated in Khulna. They used to fulfill country's 70 percent iodized salt requirement, according to the Khulna Salt Industry Owners' Association (KSIOA). When contacted, KSIOA president and vice-president of Bangladesh Salt Mill Owners Association Sheik Mahbubul Haque Peter said out of the 35, seven industries are in full production. The units are Rajapur Salt Industries, Padma Salt Industry, Madhumati Salt Industry, Purabi Salt Industry, Titas Salt Industry and Teesta Salt Industry.

The rest of the industries, including Sundarban Salt Industries, Meghna Salt Industry, Gaffar Food Products Ltd and Ramna Salt Industry, could go bust soon unless they get attention from the authorities and adequate finance, he said.