Dhaka, Feb. 17 -- Allegations have intensified that Milk Vita's new milk processing plant remains non-operational even after eight years due to the use of substandard equipment imported from India.In the 2015-2016 financial year, Milk Vita initiated a project to establish a new plant at Baghabarighat in Shahzadpur upazila, Sirajganj district.

The project, valued at approximately Tk 105 crore, aimed to expand production and storage capacity, reduce imports, and support dairy farmers in avoiding financial losses.

Scheduled for completion in 2017, the plant was expected to increase powdered milk production by 25 tonnes per day, compared to the country's daily import of 59 tonnes.

Although infrastructure installation was completed by 2018,...