Baghlan Sugar Mill closed down

PUL-I-KHUMRI (SW) – The Baghlan Sugar Mill that used to meet up to 30 per cent of the domestic demand has been closed down on the directives of the government.

Two employees of this sugar mill, Ahmad Shah and Sardar, told Salam Watandar the government’s lack of attention and poor management led to the closing down of this production unit. He said up to 40 employees of this sugar mill have not been paid their salaries.

A local farmer, Mohammad Alam, said he used to grow sugar beet at his famrs, but due to the negligence of the government during past some years, he stopped growing this key ingredient for sugar.

However, Ghulam Sakhi, manager of the Baghlan Sugar Mill, said outlawed powerful individuals have encroached upon some four thousand hectors of land around this production unit. He said this combined with diseases in crops forced the closure of the mill.

The Baghlan Sugar Mill was established in 1941. It remained under private control between 2006 and 2016.

ENDS