The interim government is working to restart sugar production at six state-run mills that were shut down during the previous regime, according to Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan.

He made these remarks yesterday while visiting the Setabganj Sugar Mill in Bochaganj upazila of Dinajpur, where he met with officials and workers of the mill alongside local sugarcane growers.

He assured them that steps were being taken to resume production at the mill as soon as possible, with the government already forming a committee to expedite the process.

Citing operational challenges, the Awami League government had shuttered the six mills in December 2020. Five of them -- Kushtia Sugar Mill, Syampur Sugar Mill in Rangpur, Setabganj Sugar Mill in Dinajpur, Panchagarh Sugar Mill and Rangpur Sugar Mill -- are located in northern regions.

Khan's visit marked the first time that a high-ranking government official has gone to Setabganj Sugar Mill since its closure.

The industries adviser expressed concerns over unchecked land grabbing at the mill's premises and directed its Managing Director Md Abul Basar to reclaim the space that had been illegally occupied.

"Influential locals have grabbed significant portions of the land. So, immediate recovery action is necessary," he said.

Highlighting the government's efforts to provide financial assistance to sugarcane farmers, he said Tk 100 crore has been disbursed among all mills so far so they can clear any arrears owed to sugarcane suppliers.

"Another Tk 120 crore will be paid shortly," he added.

Officials, workers and sugarcane suppliers of Setabganj Sugar Mill voiced grievances stemming from the closure, urging Khan to take immediate steps to reopen it.

The adviser's visit included a meeting attended by Dipika Bhadra, chairman of the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Corporation, Zakia Sultana, senior secretary of the industries ministry, Md Rafiqul Islam, deputy commissioner of Dinajpur, and representatives of political and social organisations.

Earlier on Friday, Khan visited the North Bengal Sugar Mill in Natore and inaugurated the sugarcane crushing season for fiscal 2024–25 as chief guest.

His tour underscores the government's commitment to revitalising the sugar industry, which has been struggling due to financial and operational inefficiencies for a long time.