Post News Network
Keonjhar, May 30: Resource-rich Keonjhar district has been witnessing a slump in jobs after closure of mines and a number of industrial units because of shortage of raw materials.
Among them, the only agriculture-based unit Bilati Orissa factory at Gopalpur has been closed for the last three years, dealing a blow to tomato farmers of the district.
The state government has done nothing to reopen the factory, local farmers said.
Most parts of the district are conducive for tomato cultivation which can once again be a profitable business for score of farmers if the factory is reopened, they added.
The factory was set up as a joint venture by the state government near Kanjhari dam in 1995. The factory was a lifeline for tomato farmers and a commercial success as well.
Having acquired ISO 9001 and 2000 for its quality service and products, the factory had earned a name for itself as the biggest agriculture-based industry in eastern India. The plant also used to process chilly, guava, papaya and mangoes. The processed products were being exported outside the state.
However, after successfully running for several years, the factory started incurring losses and was stuck in a financial crisis before it was eventually closed in 2012. Since then, the factory’s machines have been rusting for lack of maintenance.
Moreover, over 300 contractual workers who were earlier employed by the company have been living in penury and have not received their salaries.
Over 2,000 farmers, who used to sell their produce to the factory, have also been affected by its closure.
Even as local farmers and workers have demanded revival of the factory for their benefit, the administration claims to be incapable for doing anything in this regard. The factory is a private institution and the department is helpless in this regard, RK Panda, deputy director of agriculture, said.