Patna: The Bihar government has approved the allocation of Rs.586 million for the setting up of a branch of the prestigious National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) here, officials said on Wednesday.

The state cabinet agreed to provide financial support for the establishment of the institute on Tuesday, cabinet secretary Girish Shankar said.

"The amount will be spent on the NIFT's infrastructure, including building and equipment. Of the total amount approved, Rs.270 million will be spent in the current financial year," he said.

In May this year, the cabinet had approved free-of-cost transfer of 10 acres of land from the agriculture department to the industries department for establishment of the NIFT branch, which will be the ninth in the country.

NIFT has branches in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Rai Bareilly.

Sources said classes at NIFT will begin this academic session. It will initially have a small batch of students and function from a temporary building, which is being renovated.

"Till the time its own building comes up, the NIFT will temporarily function from the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority building," an official said. IANS