Panic in UP leather MSMEs continues as raw material supply goes dry

Kanpur, May 18 (KNN) The leather industry in Uttar Pradesh goes from bad to worse as the Yogi Adityanath led UP Govt. continue to hunt the illegals slaughter houses. 

The industry that was already performing poor due to slowed exports had further been hit by the strict actions of the newly formed government.

The export data suggest that before the new government took charge in the State, the industry was not in a good shape. In the financial year 2014-2015, the leather exports from Kanpur was worth 3,136 crore rupees, this figure came down drastically to 2,586 crores in the year 2015-16.

The new UP government announced strict measures for the industry. The govt recently ordered crackdown on the illegal slaughter houses. Also many tannery units are being shut as the government found them polluting the water bodies. Also the fear of the vigilantes charging against the people in the skin business continues to haunt the industry.

Talking to KNN, Pankaj Gupta, Gen. Sec of the Indian Industries Association elaborated on the issues around the leather industry in the state. Gupta said that the industry is not able to perform well because the raw material stock is almost dry now.

Commenting on the crackdown on the illegal slaughter houses Gupta said that anything that is not in line with law is illegal and needs to be shut. He however pointed out that all this happened too quickly and the leather units didn’t anticipate this coming, because of which the industry is in panic.

He further spoke of the decision of the government against the tanneries who were found polluting the water bodies. Most of the MSME units comply well with the rules and regulations of the state. It is only few units that violate; action must be taken against those units selectively.

Gupta also said that his industry Associations have formed various representations to address the MSMEs and the environmental concerns. It is essential for the industry to take care of the environment to ensure sustainable development. The Association is exploring the possibilities of setting up effluent treatment plants wherever possible. Also they are planning to approach the government for assistance in this regard.

Commenting upon the rising fears of vigilantes that haunt the leather business in the state he said that no one has the right to take law in their hands. There is proper police and system to take care, the IIA strictly opposes such anti-lawful vigilantisms. (KNN/ DA)