SATKHIRA, Sept 06, 2026 (BSS) - Satkhira boat manufacturing industry has gained popularity across the southern region of this country for its quality and diversification.  About 150 craftsmen have found their job in this venture, fulfilling demands of boats in different corners of the country. While visiting the manufacturing site across Satkhira-Khulna highway in the Patkelghata area, bustling activities of the craftsmen were seen.  Some were cutting wood, some were setting the boat structure, some were joining wood pieces, finishing work with machines, and others were applying tar to the boat's hull. Everyone is busy and working tirelessly. None has time to catch their breath.  Boat-making industries gained ground on the both sides of Satkhira-Khulna highway at Patkelghata area from where over 2000 boats are sold every year across the country. During the monsoon season Satkhira and vast coastal areas of the region remain under water for more than six months a year, making the use of boat very crucial for communication. The boats made in Satkhira meet the local demand and are also being supplied to various districts.  Traders say that the price of wood and other materials has increased side by side wages of the workers, raising the production cost of boats, usually made of Khoi, Mahogany, Chambal, and Eplipli wood.  The craftsmen manufacture different type of boats, out of which demands for Dingi, fishing boats, Taburi boats, and Kheya boats are higher.  Boats are produced throughout the year, but demand and value increase during the monsoon. Anwar Hossain, owner of Messrs Aishi Boat Workshop, said he is engaged with this business for about 30 years. He inherited the profession from his forefathers. About 25 workers are employed in his workshop.  He said due to the high price of materials and high labour costs their profit margin is very low. he has customer in Khulna, Bagerhat, Jashore, and Narail. Another workshop owner Sazzad Hossain said selling price of a boat starts from a Taka 10,000 and it might be several lakh depending on its size and quality. He employed about 10 workers in his workshop.  He said daily wages of a worker ranges from Taka 600 to 800. Due to increased price of wood and nails, among other items, a sale cannot fetch profit more than taka two to three thousands. Producers said mainly Mahogany, Khoi, and Chambal wood are used to make boats. Besides, nails, spikes, and treenails are used. Making a 12-hand-length Khoi wood boat costs about Taka 10,000. It sells for Taka 11,000 to 12,000. Tuhin, a boat maker, said he works at the boat workshop and earns Taka 700 daily. With this, he and his family are doing well. Gourab Das, the Deputy Manager of Satkhira BSCIC Industrial City assured the boat-making artisans of extending cooperation in their business.  BSCIC is working with entrepreneurs in small, cottage, and medium industries; he said boat-making industry in Satkhira is very popular.  He said BSCIC team has inspected all boat manufacturing sites and some of the factories are registered with BSCIC.  If they seek support, financial assistance can be provided to them from BSCIC, he said.

RANGPUR, Sept 6, 2026 (BSS) - A mobile court fined a molasses factory in Shukurerhat area of Mithapukur upazila in the district Tk 2,30,000 for producing adulterated molasses in a dirty and unhygienic environment on Saturday night. Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) of Mithapukur upazila Md Ashiq Zaman conducted the mobile court with the assistance of Bangladesh Safe Food Authority (BFSA) officials and members of law enforcement agencies. Rangpur District Food Safety Officer of BFSA Md Lokman Hossain told BSS today that the factory had been producing adulterated molasses for a long time by mixing harmful chemicals and low-quality materials, posing a serious threat to public health.    During the raid, the mobile court observed such irregularities in making molasses in an unhygienic and damp environment with unauthorized non-food-grade harmful colors and flavors, hydrose, low-quality canned chita jaggery, flour, and sugar. For these irregularities, the mobile court fined the factory owner Md Mukul Mia Tk 2,30,000 under the 'Safe Food Act, 2013'. The court also seized huge quantities of adulterated molasses and materials and destroyed those in front of the people present.  After the raid, the Executive Magistrate told local reporters that the administration is taking a strict stand against any dishonest business and adulterated business that poses a health risk to people.  "Such drives will continue to protect public health," he said.