Punjab’s only leather institute in the city awaits revamp

JALANDHAR: One among the seven leather institutes in India and the only government institute of leather and footwear technology in Punjab, the premier institute now lies almost abandoned by the authorities and is not receiving the treatment it should be accorded.

The building of the Goverment Institute of Leather and Footwear Technology in Jalandhar. Photo: Sarabjit Singh

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 17

One among the seven leather institutes in India and the only government institute of leather and footwear technology in Punjab, the premier institute now lies almost abandoned by the authorities and is not receiving the treatment it should be accorded.

To provide skilled manpower to the leather and tanning industry of Jalandhar and to generate employment for the local population, the institute was established in 1934. But a visit to this 82-year-old organisation reveals that it has not been looked after properly, despite the fact that the city is the hub of leather industry.

Situated at Nakodar road and spread over 7 kanal of land, the leather and footwear institute is waiting for attention from the quarters concerned.

The building has not been renovated and officials fear that the roof of the huge rooms could fall anytime. At present, only 95 students are enrolled here for two diploma courses— in leather technology and footwear technology. The diplomas are of three-year duration.

Shockingly, of a teaching staff strength of 16 sanctioned by the department, only four permanent teachers are now left, which officials feel is a major reason why the institute could not grow in all these years.

It has the basic machinery that was installed many years ago, but the staff feel the need to set up updated software with technology changing every day.

Under community development through skill development programme of the Central Government, only one course of beautician is being run at present at the institute. There are different rooms for the central courses, but they are all in a deplorable condition.

Officials said that until 2013, the Central government was sending the grant directly to the institute’s account. But after that, the state government took charge and the Central government started giving the grant to the state government which was supposed to forward it.

“Since then, we have not received the grants properly,” said the officials. It is learned that a sum of Rs 21 lakh was being granted every year by the Central government.

Rohit Dalia, principal of the institute, said the issue of grant has been taken up with the government and it will get resolved soon. “Now, we are also trying for a tie-up with the foreign universities so that the students here get good opportunity and exposure,” the principal said.