15 tanneries stuck at leather complex

A number of tanners, which had opted to set up units at prestigious Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC), on Wednesday alleged that they were not being allowed to start work by the state government despite completion of all formalities.

At least nine new tanneries and six others, relocated from Tangra in the eastern part of the city as per Supreme Court's orders, were unable to start work despite having completed all necessary formalities to do so about four months back, a representative of the tanners told PTI.

The tanners alleged that they have completed all formalities and have even obtained 'consent to operate' from the state Pollution Control Board, but were not allowed to start operation due to some unknown reasons.

Despite repeated attempts, comments of the state Industry minister Nirupam Sen and Commerce and Industry secretary Sabyasachi Sen in this regard could not be obtained.

The CLC, set up by M L Dalmiya on a BOT basis as per the instruction of the Supreme Court to shift tanneries from the city areas, was originally scheduled to become operational from last June and its formal inauguration was repeatedly delayed.

The tanners alleged that they were deliberately denied permission to start operation resulting in huge losses to them and urged the government to allow them to start operation.

They also said that apathetic approach by the authorities to force the existing tanneries from Tangra, Topsia and Tiljala areas of the city to move to the CLC has also led to the delay in most of tanneries taking steps to move out.

When approached for comment, the BOT party, M L Dalmiya, also refused to say anything, but it was learnt that the company has been advised by the authorities not to provide sewerage connection to the tanneries till further orders.

Incidentally, the shifting of tanneries from existing areas has already taken a political colour with one of the opposition parties openly criticising the move to shift the tanneries.

This apparently led to the state government going soft on the issue as even the tanneries, whose power was disconnected as per Supreme Court order, were still operating with the help of generator.

In fact, the government was earlier getting ready to formally inaugurate CLC in the month of June as sources said that Joint Secretary of Commerce and Industries Department D Chakraborti through a letter to West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) on May 21 last had urged the latter to grant 'consent to operate' to tanneries, provided they met all guidelines and norms and were found to be eligible to receive the consent on inspection

After having received the consent from WBPCB, sources alleged that DI had asked BOT operator not to connect sewerage lines.

"How can we operate, if sewerage connection is not given, the tannery owners said.

The nine new tanneries that were awaiting clearance from the government to start operation were S S Trading Co, Hena Leather Co, Nisa Enterprise, Superior Trading, Gateway Leathers Pvt Ltd, Dash International, L S S Leather Co, Sumbul Tanning Corporation and Dolphin Leather.