JAIPUR: The Chennai-based Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) has agreed to consider setting up a regional centre here in the Rajasthan capital to train artisans in value addition on leather items. Rajasthan accounts for 40 to 45 per cent of the raw material for the leather industry in the country.

Delivering the keynote address at a workshop on leather under the CLRI-HRD Mission programme here, CLRI Director A.B. Mandal said Rajasthan had immense potential in developing the leather sector. Despite leather being treated as "untouchable material" by certain groups and communities, the industry was looking up here due to the availability of the raw material as well as the demand for the items, especially the "mojris" from the foreign tourists, he said.

Prof. Mandal said paucity of funds was not the problem; it was the willingness of various agencies to come forward to avail of the facilities in updating the skills of artisans and making items to suit the latest trends in the market. CLRI was willing to provide training to leather artisans from Rajasthan and also to work with the Rural Non Farm Development Agency (RUDA) in modernising the sector, he said.

Prof.Mandal appreciated the innovations carried out by the local artisans on "mojris" and "jootis" incorporating silk and coloured stones. CLRI could consider setting up a centre attached to the Leather Park at Manpur Macheri near here, he said responding to a request from the State's entrepreneurs.

The Chairman and Managing Director of RUDA, Rohit R. Brandon, said Rajasthan would concentrate more in the areas such as "mojris", "jootis" and other footwear instead of trying to establish in leather garments. The leather items accounted for Rs.200 crores of the Rs.2000 crores earned by Rajasthan in a year from the export of handicrafts, he informed.

The State was not suitable for tanning operations as it was a water-intensive activity, he pointed out. Many of the communities traditionally involved in leather-based activities had left the profession due to social ostracism and efforts were on to bring them back and help them to lead a respectable life, Mr.Brandon said.

Better tourism inflow

The Chairman of the Rajasthan State Council of FICCI, Jai Singh, said the promotion of the leather industry in the State would lead to better tourism inflow and overall growth.

He offered all support for establishing an international leather mart, like the stone mart held alternatively every year in Jaipur and Bangalore, for providing worldwide exposure to leather industry here.

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