New Delhi, Feb 9 (KNN) West Bengal government has allotted lands to the tannery units from Uttar Pradesh (UP), which were closed down due to Kumbh Mela, during the Bengal Global Business Summit, 2019.

At Calcutta Leather Complex, Bantala, 70 acres of land has been allotted for additional tannery units from the stage of Bengal Global Business Summit, 2019, in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The UP government had issued a directive to shut these tanneries from December 15, 2018 to March 2019 to stop waste disposal in the Ganga during the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.

Speaking with KNN India, President of Indian Industries Association (IIA) Sunil Vaish said “As many as 10-12 tannery units in Kanpur have been allotted land by the West Bengal government to shift their operations to the state during the Bengal Global Business Summit.”

Calling it as an initial stage, he expressed his concerns for the industries that will be shifted to West Bengal.

He said that it is not easy to start operations in West Bengal as state has some work and labor issues that might create problems for the tanneries.

He stated that the issue of pollution for which tanneries were closed in the Uttar Pradesh is a matter of concern in West Bengal also as pollution was the only reason for shutting units in UP.

On behalf of tanneries in Kanpur, he expressed their disappointment with the state government saying that it’s UP government's fault of not providing any alternative solution for this.

He said that tanneries are the source of earning foreign currencies via exports to the state, so government should have come up with the alternative plan before closing them.