Leather industry of Punjab looks-up

Chandigarh, May 11: The Leather Industry of Punjab which has been in the doldrums, can finally heave a sign of relief with the Centre allocating sum of Rs 290 crore under the 'Integrated Development of Leather Sector' plan (IDLS).

While disclosing this here today, a spokesman of the state Industries department said that all the existing units in tanneries, leather products, leather footwear and footwear components sector undertaking viable and bankable programme on modernization technology up-gradation can avail assistance under this scheme.

The financial assistance would be in the form of grant to the extent of 30 per cent of cost of plant and machinery for small scale units and 20 per cent of cost of plant and machinery for other units.

This grant would be subject to a ceiling of Rs 50 lakh for both categories for technology up-gradation modernisation and/or expansion.

Investment grant would also be available to the units investing their own resources.

The scheme will be implemented through CLRI Chennai for tannery and through FDDI, Noida for other leather goods, garments, saddlery, leather footwear and footwear Component.

The spokesman further said that this scheme would be of immense help to the leather industry of Punjab. He said the details of the scheme has been sent to all general managers, district industries centres in the state.

The detailed information on the scheme is also available on the Union Government website (http.//dippp.nic.in).

UNI