New leather development plan launched
A new Indian Leather Development Programme has been launched as part of the 11th five-year plan. The programme will involve an investment of Rs9.1 billion ($181.8 million) compared with Rs4 billion allocated through the 10th five-year plan.
Highlights will include a leather tanning complex at Nellore at Rs290 million, the establishment of a branch of the Footwear Design & Development Institute (FDDI) in Fursatganj costing Rs71.7 million and a Chennai-based footwear complex costing Rs30 million.
Other investments will include a saddlery development project in Kanpur (Rs100 million), support for artisans (Rs400 million), human resources development (Rs600 million), the upgrade of FDDI and other institutes (Rs3 billion) and upgrading/installation of infrastructure for environmental protection (Rs2 billion).
