‘Centre committed to support leather industry’

Speaking at the interactive session on the sector achieving USD 10 billion, organised here on Saturday by the All India Exports of Leather Footwear and Products Industry, the minister pointed out that Centre had already allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the leather industry.

The Centre was committed to develop the industry across the country, he said, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the Rs 2,600-crore package for technology innovation, human resource development and enhancing market access for leather exporters.

Prabhu said the package would generate jobs for more than three lakh persons across the country in a span of three years.

The minister added that the Union government was already in talks with the authorities in Tamil Nadu to set up a massive leather cluster in the State. “Same assurance was also given to West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh for setting up mega leather clusters,” he said. For this purpose, Centre would extend its support in connection with infrastructure facilities for the States that are interested in setting up the cluster.

Prabhu said that the Centre would also implement upgraded Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) in Tamil Nadu for leather industries to work in an environment-friendly manner. The minister said leather exporters would also be encouraged, as the traditional products were 

high in demand.