New course in leather technology

hyderabad:the state government is learnt to have agreed to introduce a course in leather technology in all the polytechnic colleges and industrial training institutes (itis) in the state. with a view to promoting the leather industry, the leather industries development corporation of andhra pradesh (lidcap) has proposed to set up as many as 94 leather parks in the state.the corporation will also run leather technology courses at diploma, degree and post-graduate level at these parks. "we need more man power with technical skills. hence, we have asked the government to introduce more courses and the government has agreed," said lidcap vicechairman and managing director tenneti krishna prasad. krishna prasad said 72 parks will come up on 25 acres each and 16 medium scales parks on 100 acres each while six will be mega parks with 300 acres each. after having decided to withdraw from the manufacturing and marketing of leather goods, the lidcap is contemplating to promote the industry by helping the small and medium scale entrepreneurs. the corporation will seek the help of international companies in developing course content for the courses and modules for training the illiterate artisans. the lidcap will generate its own resources by allowing its brand name for use by the entrepreneurs, lease out its six manufacturing units, lease out the prime land being held by the corporation across the state. the corporation has 40 acre at gachibowli, four acres at vijayawada, five acres at tirupati, four acres at guntakal and also in other towns. having failed to compete with the private operators in the industry, the corporation has chalked out a new role for itself. it has decided to act independently in consultation with the government in making policies and implementing them without burdening the government. "the staff would be deputed to the leather parks to manage them," krishna prasad said.