Jupally reviews activities of LIDCAP

Hyderabad, Oct 28 (INN): Industries Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Wednesday held a meeting to review the activities of LIDCAP in the Telangana State. He interacted with the employees in the presence of LIDCAP Managing Director Saida.

There are 13 leather parks in Telangana State in the districts of Medak, Nalgonda, Mahboobnagar, Karimnagar, /Warangal, and Nizamabad. While reviewing, the Minister was dispeased that LIDCAP has now almost become defunct and all the machinery, sheds and huge properties were lying unutilized. There are only security guards at the parks and the number of employees has come down drastically due to retirements.

The Minister instructed the Chairman to immediately prepare a report and mention a time limit in which the LIDCAP can be revived at the earliest. He looked into the operations and was informed that most of the business being conducted was through consultants and LIDCAP 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 etc by supplying leather shoes, socks and canvas shoes.

The Minister questioned why the department with machinery and know how is not being able to deliver any results whereas a consultant who has rented the machinery is able to deliver such huge orders and pay 10 percent as rental/ machinery usage charges. He told the MD to immediately look into the aspect of repairs of machinery and to being them into working condition at the earliest and taking up of works immediately by the corporation.

Jupally called for all the files related to the properties of the corporation after being informed that some of the lands were occupied illegally and the cases were in court. He instructed that all the court cases be reviewed immediately and instructed that a meeting be called for with the standing counsel and Secretary Industries and other concerned officials along with collectors/Joint collectors, MRO's along with all concerned documents so that a path can be laid with regard protecting the properties of the Corporation. Minister also instructed all the agreements with vendors and leasee's should be reviewed at the earliest possible so that they are not misutilised.

With regard to the Footwear Design and Development Institute which is coming up on the campus at an estimated cost of 115 crores. Around 15 acres was allotted to them and the campus is expected to start for the next academic year. He requested the officials of FDDI to construct compound wall to balance 5 Acres to prevent encroachments.

He said that 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 in the state. He said that new entrepreneurs should be promoted under the TS-iPASS, T- PRIDE schemes. He said that the corporation should set up training to interested candidates as part of the program to revamp and re-establish the Corporation. He remembered that a few years a ago there were a number of lidcap centres in the state and they were there in most colonies just like bus stops and were recognised immediately and also served as landmark for address.

The Minister instructed the officials to immediately take up renovation and maintenance of the existing leather parks which were gathering dust and training centers be set up to impart training to the local youth in the districts, He said that help can be taken from Small Tanners Cooperatives for trainings and other related issues.

He said that LIDCAP can provide road side footwear bunks to the trainees and SC Cobblers tying up with the SC, ST welfare departments, and also tie up with banks to provide loans to the trainees.