The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI) Bill, 2017 received Parliamentary approval with the Rajya Sabha adopting it by voice vote today. <br/><br/>The Lok Sabha passed it earlier. The Bill is aimed at establishing and declaring the FDDI as an institution of national importance for the promotion and development of quality and excellence in education, research and training in all disciplines relating to footwear and leather products, design and development. <br/><br/>Replying to a brief discussion, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitaraman rejected the opposition allegations over the non-availability of leather in the market. She said that the government is making all out efforts to ensure a regulated supply of leather. <br/><br/>The Minister further said that the 12 institutes across the country are well spread out with seven of them fully functional. She said several international institutes are helping in framing the content and curriculum of the FDDI, adding that of the four lakh pass-outs, 3.27 lakh have been employed in various footwear companies through campus placements.