New Delhi, Aug 22 (UNI) Three institutes, to be set up at Rohtak, Channai and Kolkata at a cost of Rs 96.69 crore each to give a boost to leather industry, would become operational in 2011-12, government said today.

The project, patterned on Noida's footwear design and development institute, is being set up as a part of the Rs 912.67 crore Indian Leather Development Programme, Commerce and Industry Ministry said.

Besides, a Rs 60 crore HRD mission to train people in rural areas with the objective of providing skilled manpower for leather industry is also envisaged in the programme, the Ministry added.

Under the Centrally-funded programme, another Rs 40 crore scheme would provide design and marketing support and funds for raw material to leather artisans.

The leather industry would also get a Rs 200 crore support package to meet stringent pollution control norms during the 11th Plan period, the Ministry said, that adding 50 per cent and 15 per cent grant would be provided by Central and State governments respectively.

To make the sector globally competitive, a leather tanning complex would also be set up at Nellore by Andhra Pradesh government with a Rs 29 crore grant from the Centre, the Ministry said.

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