Question : FOOTWEARS PARK

(a) whether a footwear park is being set-up in the periphery of Agra on Agra-Delhi Highway;

(b) if so, whether the above park is being constructed by a private company under the auspieces of Leather Export Council;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) the names of the institutes which are investing capital for its construction alongwith the amount of capital being invested by them separately;

(e) whether there is any scheme to ensure participation of people belonging to dalit-sections who are still engaged in tanneries in the aforesaid park; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and by when it is likely to commence production on commercial basis?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY(SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)

(a): No, Sir. A Footwear Component Park is proposed to be set up on the Agra-Mathura Highway near Agra.

(b) to (d): The implementing agency of the Footwear Component Park is the Council for Leather Exports, which will get the project executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) called the Agra Footwear Industry Infrastructure Development Company Limited, a company with its registered office at Agra. The SPV has been set up by the footwear industry and the Board of Directors of the company comprise manufacturer-exporters of footwear and footwear components.

(e) & (f): There is no proposal to set up tanneries in the Park. Footwear and footwear component manufacturers are expected to set up their manufacturing units in the Park by July 2006. Such units will provide employment opportunities to various sections of the society, including to members of the scheduled castes and tribes.