Markapur, Krishna Districts to Get Leather Units: Minister
Addressing the media, Dr Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy said the government was restoring LIDCAP to its former glory while taking concrete steps to improve the welfare of leather artisans.
Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh government is providing modern equipment to traditional caste-based artisans to strengthen their livelihoods and ensure long-term financial security, social welfare minister Dr Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy and BC welfare minister S. Savitha said on Wednesday.
The ministers inaugurated a LIDCAP leather showroom-cum-outlet in the fourth block of the state Secretariat at Velagapudi in Amaravati and said the coalition government was committed to the welfare and economic empowerment of leather workers through targeted initiatives.
Addressing the media, Dr Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy said the government was restoring LIDCAP to its former glory while taking concrete steps to improve the welfare of leather artisans. He announced that leather manufacturing units would be established at Yadavalli in Markapur district and G. Konduru in Krishna district to generate employment opportunities for members of the leather-working community.
Minister Savitha said the government’s objective was to provide year-round employment and sustainable livelihoods to traditional artisans. Besides extending modern tools to improve productivity, the government was also working to enhance their economic security, she said.
She noted that the new LIDCAP outlet at the Secretariat would make a wide range of quality leather products easily accessible to Secretariat employees and visitors. Secretariat staff would be able to purchase the products at a 10 per cent discount, she added.
LIDCAP chairman Pilli Manikya Rao said the corporation had taken several measures for the development of leather artisans. He said the organisation was now focused on making high-quality leather products available to consumers.
Following the inauguration, both ministers purchased leather products from the outlet, highlighting their support for the initiative.
Social welfare secretary M.M. Naik, LIDCAP managing director Prasanna Venkatesh and other senior officials were present.
