Leather park ready to roll

A leather goods park will soon become a reality as domestic producers have reached an agreement with M L Dalmiya & Co, the developer of Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC), for commissioning of the project.

Units under the aegis of Indian Leather Product Association (ILPA) will get 49 acres of land within the CLC.

The government of West Bengal (GoWB) has negotiated a special rate, Rs 1,450 per square metre, for units that will take up land within the complex.

The CLC will deliver filled up land, road, street light and sewerage system for the units.

It has promised to hand over plots within four to six months if payment for land is made upfront.

ILPA, which elected Tapan Nandy as its new president today, will soon meet willing units to finalise the payment schedule.

"ILPA will discuss with units to finalise the best payment schedule. After a decision is taken, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) will be signed with M L Dalmiya & Co as early as next week," Nandy said.

The Kolkata region exports about Rs 1,400 crore worth leather goods.

The tanneries had been relocated under the order of the Supreme Court, but many were yet to start operation owing to other problems.

"Unless the tanneries start production, relocation in the park would not prove beneficial," S S Kumar, chairman, Council For Leather Export (CLE), pointed out.