FULL TRANSCRIPT
Today is a very good day to pass this Bill. Today is the birth anniversary of Babu Jagjivan Ram and he was known as the leader of the backward people. This Bill, with minor amendments, seeks to set up an institute of excellence in footwear development and design. It will be desirable if this becomes a national institute with 12 campuses, at par with the IITs, IISERs and the IIMs.
It has been mentioned that the leather market will be 220 billion dollars in 2020. When you look at footwear, none of the Indian brands are global. Nike, Lotto, Adidas control the international market. Gucci, Louis Vitton control the leather accessories market. Woodlands or Mochi have no presence in international market. We must improve our quality. We must give encouragement to local brands like Kolhapuri along with patenting the name.
Sir, Bengal is a big centre for leather industry. Raw leather hide is first dried and then treated with chemicals which are heavy metals. They are very polluting. The leather industry in the heart of Kolkata has been shifted to Bantala. Calcutta Leather Complex is doing very well and the industry is growing very well. One of the institutes of Footwear is located in Calcutta Leather Complex; I request the Minister to give it special attention.
Sir, I will end with one question. What is the government policy for procuring hide and skin? Calfskin is the best. Except Bengal, Kerala and North Eastern States, cow slaughter is banned.