Kathmandu. The government has formed a task force to study the resumption of Biratnagar Jute Mill.

A decision has been taken to form a task force comprising experts to study the existing economic, technical and legal condition of the industry and recommend appropriate alternatives for its resumption of operation.

Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Birendra Kumar Yadav, said that the meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday decided to form a taskforce to prepare necessary strategy for resumption of Biratnagar Jute Mill by reviewing the present situation of Biratnagar Jute Mill, decisions made earlier and the study reports prepared by different agencies.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Yadav, Finance Secretary, Secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies and officials and stakeholders of the ministry concerned. On the occasion, discussions were held on the management of the mill, possibilities of operation of the mill, existing problems and various options that could be adopted for re-operation of the mill. According to Secretary Yadav, the task force will carry out an objective study on the economic, technical, legal and other related aspects required for the resumption of the operation. Necessary decision will be taken on the basis of the study and recommendations of the task force.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, the taskforce will be coordinated by the Joint Secretary looking after the corporations of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

The members include Under Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

Likewise, two expert members will be nominated from the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. The under-secretary of the government industry and corporation section of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies will be the member-secretary.

The task force is expected to submit its report to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies within a month. The taskforce will also study the previous decisions regarding the resumption of the mill and the reports, suggestions and recommendations submitted by the taskforce formed by various bodies.

Besides, study would be carried out of the existing condition of the buildings, factories, other physical structures, machinery and spare parts in the mill premises. The task force has also been given the responsibility to submit necessary legal and practical suggestions to the government for settling the issues related to property and liability.