Hetauda Textile can be revived: Study

Kathmandu, August 26

A committee formed to study the prospect of reviving Hetauda Textile Industry (HTI) has outlined the feasibility of restoring the industry within the next six months.

Submitting its study report to the government recently, the committee led by Shatrughan Prasad Pudasainee, joint secretary at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies (MoICS), has outlined the possibility of reviving the state-owned textile factory in Hetauda, which has remained defunct since almost two decades, with an initial investment of Rs 200 million.

“A majority of the physical infrastructure and other machines of HTI are intact and can be used in producing textiles. However, an initial investment of Rs 200 million is necessary to make the factory completely functional,” informed Pudasainee.

As per the report, almost 235 sewing machines of the 477 such machines at the Hetauda Textile Industry are still functional. However, all non-functional sewing machines have to be replaced.

Meanwhile, the study report has stated that the textile factory in Hetauda can start commercial production of textile only after three years though the factory can start initial production within six months if budget issuance and procurement of machines are done on time.

In the case of management of the Hetauda Textile Industry, the report has recommended multiple models. Firstly, the management of the textile factory can be given to the security agencies jointly — Nepal Army (NA), Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF).

The report has also recommended the possibility of operating the Hetauda Textile Industry jointly by the government and NA. Meanwhile, the study committee has also outlined the prospects to allow NA to operate the textile factory solely.

Lastly, the report has also mentioned that the government itself can operate the textile factory on its own like other public enterprises.

Similarly, the study report has suggested the need of over 1,000 employees in the factory to operate it in a full-fledged manner.

Meanwhile, the government is yet to decide on the operational modality of the textile factory. However, sources at the MoICS informed that preparation is underway to give the operational responsibility of Hetauda Textile Industry to Nepal Army.

In 2016, the then industry minister Nabindra Raj Joshi, had initiated the process of reviving various sick industries of the government, including the Hetauda Textile Industry.