Areas in
Vellore district, particularly Ranipet, Melvisharam, Ambur and Vaniyambadi, are
home to hundreds of leather manufacturing units. Nationally, if the whole State
accounts for 45 per cent of leather exports, Vellore’s share stands at 30 per
cent, according to M. Rafeeque Ahmed, chairman of Council for Leather Exports.
“When it
comes to leather exports, Vellore is the largest contributing district. One of
the biggest problems faced by the sector here is environment related. In many
States, the government contributes to enable leather industries to adopt and
implement a zero-liquid discharge system,” he says.
While
industries get funding from the Centre for the implementation of the system,
the Tamil Nadu government, Mr. Ahmed says, should contribute funds for bringing
in a permanent solution.
Another
crucial requirement for the leather sector is continuous power supply. To boost
exports, the State government should intervene and get the Chennai
Port-Maduravoyal elevated expressway built fast, he adds.
“The works
have been stalled for nearly five years. If this is completed, there will be
24-hour movement of container lorries. Presently, lorries are allowed into the
port after 10 p.m. and this is leading to queuing of vehicles. The project will
breathe life into the port.”
Water
shortage
S. Faiyaz
Ahmed, honorary secretary of Ambur Tanners Association, also insists that the
government should invest in the sector. “We are facing a water shortage in
Vellore. We recycle processed water and reuse it. Currently, we are able to
recycle 70 per cent water, and want to take this to 90 per cent. This requires
a lot of investment, and we need the State government’s investment to take this
forward.”
Of the
total exports, Vellore alone accounts for Rs. 5,000-Rs. 6000 crore worth of
products.
“Many
foreigners visit places such as Ranipet, Ambur and Vaniyambadi. The
municipalities do not have sewage treatment plants and sewage overflows onto
the roads in many areas, and this does not give a good impression,” he says.
The government, Mr. Faiyaz Ahmed adds, should provide special attention for towns
that generate employment and foreign exchange and establish proper
infrastructure such as STPs and roads.
According
to him, the town of Ambur contributes Rs. 14 crore annually to the Employees’
State Insurance Scheme. But, the people here do not get to enjoy the benefits.
“Only two
ESI hospitals in the State — at Chennai and Salem — performed major surgeries,”
he points out. “The ESI dispensary at Ambur should be upgraded and equipped to
perform major surgeries.”
