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Review Leather Complex plot terms: Tanners

Our Bureau

KOLKATA, Jan. 23

CITY-BASED tanners, who took possession of the plots of land at the Calcutta Leather Complex (CLC) last week, have decided to ask for a review of the terms and conditions of acceptance of the plots, as spelt out to them by the State Commerce and Industri es Department.

Tannery owners have expressed reservations about the fact that the Government has not specified the lease term of the land although they were given to understand all along, that the land would be given on a 99-year lease.

The two-year deadline given for completion of the construction of the unit on this land, was also found unacceptable as tanners felt that there was uncertainty about getting the various clearances including those for building plans, and pollution. ``We c an commit to a two-year schedule only from the date of receipt of the statutory clearances,'' a tannery owner said.

Although 34 tanners accepted possession of their plots ranging from 400 sqm 20,000 sqm at CLC last weekend, they resented the way the Government-appointed contractor, M L Dalmiya & Co (MLD), had gone about the whole matter.

``We had serious reservations about the terms and conditions handed out to us by the Government and we would have liked to sort matters out beforehand - but since you have announced the handing over through the media, we have decided to take possession u nder protest,'' they said in a written communication to Mr Jagmohan Dalmiya whose company MLD is implementing CLC on a build-operate-transfer basis.

These tanners had made full payment of the land cost after agreeing to shift their units from the Tangra, Tiljala and Topsia area to the Karaidanga, 20 kms from the city in the South 24 Parganas district.

On the stipulation that the land cannot be mortgaged or encumbered, they opined that raising finances would become a problem if creating a charge in favour of banks and FIs was not allowed.

Tanners were also upset that there was no provision for them to bring in foreign collaborators for their projects saying that if any hindrances were placed by the Government in this regard, their business prospects would be hampered.

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Mr Dalmiya said that differences could be ironed out. He also ruled out an oft-voiced fear of tanners that they might be asked to relocate once again as the city expanded its boundaries.

``This is not likely as no residential construction would be allowed in this area since it is mostly wetlands.''