Ditching the traditional leather suitcase that holds the state budget papers, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was this time seen carrying a locally made leather bag by the Karnataka Leather Industries Development Corporation (LIDKAR).
The CM held up the dark tan-coloured satchel for all to see, marking a significant move to promote the leather industry and support leather artisans in the state.
A source in the Chief Minister’s Office mentioned that Siddaramaiah decided to initiate the new tradition of using products from the state-owned LIDKAR company for official purposes.
“True to his belief of supporting AHINDA (Minorities, Backward Classes, and Dalits), CM Siddaramaiah tries to promote every section of the society and this is just another step to help our artisans,” the official said.
LIDKAR was initially known as Karnataka Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd, and later the name was shortened for convenience. Established by the Government of Karnataka in 1976, the corporation’s nomenclature was changed to Dr Babu Jagjivan Ram Leather Industries Development Corporation Ltd in 2010 and is managed by the state Social Welfare Department.
These state-owned outlets, located across Karnataka, sell genuine leather products such as bags, footwear, shoes, and belts made by leather artisans and small-scale industries, explained the official.
Leather artisans in the state have been economically disadvantaged, engaged in making and selling traditional footwear and leather products for generations. With the advent of commercialization and the involvement of middlemen, local artisans began to be exploited, receiving inadequate compensation for their products.
During the tenure of the then Chief Minister Devaraja Urs, a decision was made to provide leather artisans and sellers with a platform to showcase and sell their products at competitive rates.
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