Chennai: Union Minister for Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu on Saturday said the Centre was willing to sanction a new mega leather clusters for Tamilnadu.
Speaking at an inter-active session organised by the Council for Leather Exports (CLE) here on Saturday, he said the matter has already has already been taken up with the State government.
“Apart from assuring the State government to set up new leather
clusters, the Centre is also ready to provide additional facilities,” the Union Minister said.
Referring to the Rs 2,600 crore package approved for the sector
which was aimed at generating employment in leather and footwear
sectors, the Minister termed it as a transparent package and wanted
the industry to make the most of it, while reiterating the government’s
commitment to develop this industry.
He said the leather and footwear sectors have the potential to generate
3.24 lakh new jobs in three years. The package involves implementation of Central scheme, “Indian Footwear, Leather & Accessories Development Programme” over three financial years from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
The Minister said while the Centre has already sanctioned five common effluent treatment plants, nine were awaiting approval, he said.
Earlier, the Minister presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to CLE founder-chairman M Mohammed Hashim.