The State Government has no proposal to reoperate the Odisha Textiles Mills (OTM) that was established at Choudwar by Biju Patnaik way back in 1946.
Textiles, Handlooms and Handicrafts Minister Snehangini Chhuria informed this in the State Assembly in response to a question of BJP MlA Dilip Ray on Saturday.
The Government had procured the OTM in 1983 and its production has been stopped since the year 2000. A total of 373 employees were working and they are yet to get a total of arrear amount of ` 30 crore. The Government has no plan to renovate the mill.
In reaction, Ray said the Minister’s reply is very disappointing and disrespect to the memory of the legendary leader.
“It is very disappointing the project initiated by Biju Patnaik was closed during a Government formed by a party named after him.
It is also disspaointing that the State has not paid dues of `30 crore to employees for the last 17 years,” lamented Ray.