Ishwardi silk mill operations stalled

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :

Ishwardi silk factory used to produce silkworms, silk eggs and silk balls. Yarn was made from the pulp. Besides, mulberry tree cultivation activities are going on throughout the year. Currently, only mulberry seedlings are being produced on a small scale. All other activities are closed. As a result, the operation of the silk factory has now come to a standstill.
There are only Managers (in charge) in the Ishwardi Silk Factory, although there are 17 posts of manpower in the management of the office. All other posts are vacant. One computer operator on monthly contract basis, 22 workers on daily attendance basis and four night watchmen are working. Now not working more than 10-15 days in a month. Laborers employed on daily attendance basis are living a subhuman life. It is known that silk factory was established in 1962 on 107 bigha 12 katha land in Arankola Mauza on Ishwardi-Pabna Highway. Mulberry plantation land here is 59 bigha. The remaining 38 bigha lands has offices, residential buildings, palu palan house, 19 buildings including weaving house and four ponds. Mulberry leaves were fed by moths to produce silk eggs and cocoons. Yarn was made from silk balls. Now these activities are no more. Only mulberry seedlings are produced.
It can be seen on the surface, about 50 thousand mulberry trees of the silk nursery are dying. Mulberry trees are not cared for due to cessation of silkworm rearing, silk cocoons and silk egg production. As a result, the land of mulberry trees has turned into a forest. There are four one-storied and two two-storied large buildings used for silkworm rearing, silk cocoon production. Among them, four buildings with one floor are abandoned. The roof tiles of the building have been opened and the windows and doors have been broken and the vines have grown there and have become bushes. There is a haunted atmosphere.
Workers said that in the golden past, in addition to the production of mulberry seedlings, silkworm rearing, production of silk eggs and cocoons, yarn was once made from silk cocoons here. He used to go to the Rajshahi Silk Factory for yarn. Different clothes including world famous silk sarees were made. Now mulberry seedling production is going on in 35 bigha land. All others are off. After about two and a half years, on October 18, 2021, approval was given for the production of mulberry seedlings under the Silk Development Project. Seedling production work is 12-15 days in a month. The rest of the day is closed.
Alauddin Fakir Sarkar, President of the Beejagar Labor Union, said that 22 workers are working in the Beejagar on a daily basis. Since there is no work for most days of the month, they have to spend their days with their families.
Hyder Ali, Acting Manager of the breeding farm, said that for about three and a half years, the production of silkworms, silk eggs and silkworms has been stopped. Mulberry seedling production has started in 2021-22 financial year on 25 bigha land only under the development project titled Silk Industry and Expansion. In 2022-23 fiscal year, 35 bighas have been made.
These activities are closed due to non-allocation of funds for silkworm rearing, silk egg and cocoon production. Once the funds are allocated, all the activities will be conducted again.