Telangana State Industries Minister Jupally Krishna Rao expressed displeasure that LIDCAP (Leather Industries Development Corporation of AP) has almost become defunct and all machineries, sheds and huge properties were lying unutilised.

He made a surprise visit to LIDCAP at Gachibowli today and addressed the employees. Later, he reviewed the activities of the Corporation with its Managing Director, Saida.

There are 13 leather parks in Telangana in the districts of Medak, Nalgonda, Mahboobnagar, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Nizamabad. However, there are only security guards at the parks and the number of employees has come down drastically due to retirements, an official release stated.

The Minister ordered a report that gave a time limit in which LIDCAP can be revived.  Krishna Rao recollected that a few years ago there were a number of LIDCAP centres in the State, dotting most colonies just like bus stops and also served as landmark for addresses.

During the review, the Minister was informed that most of the business being conducted was through consultants and the Corporation was getting a percentage for the machinery usage as rent and commission for the amount of sale being done through it to various government departments such as BC Welfare, SC & ST welfare, RVM, hostels.

Questioning this practice, the Minister also told the Managing Director to immediately look into repairs of machinery and bring them into working condition at the earliest and to take up works immediately. 

He said the Government would like to promote leather sector in the State to provide better livelihood to all leather artisans, creating employment/ self employment opportunities to the unemployed youth.  Krishna Rao asked officials to immediately take up renovation and maintenance of the existing leather parks which were gathering dust and training centres be set up to impart training to the local youth in the districts.

somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in 

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