Guwahati: Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Earth Science, Prime Minister's Office, and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, stated today that attempts are on to produce bespoke footwear for Indians by utilising 3D technology to scan the person's feet to prepare their footwear.

He made the remarks today at the CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in Chennai.

He gave Start-ups substantial financial help from DST in order to develop novel and market-friendly leather products.

He stated that the initiative will be implemented in 73 districts across the country in the first phase.

Leather footwear, according to Dr. Jitendra Singh, must be conceived and developed into foot care solutions with foot cleanliness and user comfort as Unique Selling Properties.

According to him, there are up to 500,000 sweating cells in the palm of the foot, and leather has an unrivalled capacity for transpiration. The Minister further mentioned that diabetic footwear is one such device that improves quality of life by reducing improper distribution of plantar foot pressure.

According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, the carbon footprint of leather manufacturing activities should be reduced to zero, and the bio-economy of animal skin-derived goods is the new motto of the time. He stated that the carrying capacity needs of the leather sector in places such as Tamil Nadu necessitate the establishment of Zero Liquid Discharge as an imposed environmental standard, which is now being discussed.