Agra, Nov 21 (KNN) Around 100 leather units in Agra have so far benefitted from the Uttar Pradesh government’s One District One Product (ODOP) scheme in the financial year 2022-23, according to a report in India Today.

The One district One Product scheme allows industrial units to get loans up to Rs 2 crore from the bank for the upgradation or restructuring of the unit. The units can also get Rs 5.12 crore of margin money as a subsidy for promoting the use of new technology.

Talking to India Today, Anuj Kumar, Deputy Commissioner (Industries) of Agra said that the UP government had introduced the ODOP scheme in 2018 and from Agra, the leather and marble handicrafts industries were included in the scheme as both the industries are the traditional industries native to Agra.

“The ODOP scheme has acted as a catalyst in the growth of the leather footwear and marble handicraft industries of Agra. While footwear units are getting loans for upgradation of machinery, the craftsmen are getting stalls on railway stations to sell their art,” said Hindustani Biradari Vice-Chairman Vishal Sharma.

As per the report, several handicraft emporiums in the city have taken loans to restart the production of handicrafts using modern techniques.

Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber President Prahalad Agarwal said that after the massive setback faced by the handicrafts industry due to Covid, thousands of craftsmen had been living in poverty. But with government promotion, the craftsmen are again getting work as the small handicraft businessmen have started placing orders.

The Uttar Pradesh government’s ODOP scheme is playing a significant role in bringing the Agra footwear industry at par with the international competition. (KNN Bureau)