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The Bhardwaj Oil Industry has come into operation at Sihorawa in Mayadevi Rural Municipality-5, Kapilvastu, with an investment of around Rs. 120 million.

The industry, established with the aim of creating employment opportunities locally, currently provides direct employment to 80 people.

Local youth Om Shankar Upadhyay, who spent three years in Australia and gained experience in oil production while working there, established the industry after returning home. He is currently serving as the industry manager.

“We established the industry with the objective of doing something in our own country and creating employment opportunities at the local level,” Upadhyay said.

According to him, around Rs. 120 million has so far been invested in establishing and operating the industry. Further investment is expected in the coming days to expand production capacity and improve management.

The industry produces rice bran oil. Upadhyay said rice bran oil is considered one of the edible oils beneficial to human health. He added that the oil produced by the industry has been fortified with vitamins A and D.

The oil is currently being sold at Rs. 365 per litre. To make the product easily accessible to consumers, the industry has introduced free home delivery throughout Kapilvastu district.

On the occasion of its inauguration, the industry has announced an 8 per cent discount on one-litre packs and a 12 per cent discount on five-litre packs.

The industry also plans to create indirect employment opportunities for more locals through its free home-delivery and distribution services.The industry aims to produce between 4,200 and 4,500 metric tonnes of oil annually.