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KOLLAM: The Punalur paper mill which was once the symbol of industrial Kerala, has made a comeback 23 years after its closure. The renovated mill will start producing craft paper as one out of its three machines will start running after the formal inauguration by the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, in the presence of Industries minister P.K. Kunjalikkuty and Labour minister Shibu Baby John, on September 11.


The mill which is believed to be the oldest paper mill in the country was started in 1886, giving direct employment to over 1,020 employees until it was shut in August 1987 due to huge liabilities.

The mill was owned and operated by a management under L.N. Dalmia before its liabilities including dues to the employees, creditors, and operational costs including payment of sales tax, grew.

As many as 18 employees later committed suicide due to the loss of their jobs. The stakes of the mill was taken over by a new director board under the Chairmanship of T.K. Sundaresan in 2010. The functioning of the mill was again delayed due to a tug of war between various departments of the government.