The Budget announcement of abolition of export duty on East India (EI) leather comes as a welcome corrective measure. Produced predominantly in Tamil Nadu for centuries, EI leather was exported for more than hundred years to European countries. Tanneries used natural materials like avaram, Konnan barks and wattle extract and emitted less harmful effluents as compared to chrome tanneries. However, vested interests in the leather industry influenced the government and trade in EI leather was restricted first through quota and then using export duty. Many tanneries in places like Tiruchi Dindigul and Vellore were forced to shut down. The removal of export duty can spur employment opportunities and bring development to Tamil Nadu’s backward regions.

V.N. Mohamed Hussain,

Chennai