Priyank Kharge (File photo) BENGALURU: Karnataka IT minister Priyank Kharge raised concerns about the lack of a level playing field in the distribution of semiconductor development opportunities across other Indian states. He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting that Gujarat, the PM's home state, receives preferential treatment. Kharge also accused him of pressuring companies through "arm-twisting" tactics, which he described as "unbecoming.
" “Projects are outrightly being pushed to Gujarat. The govt used to do it openly before, but now they are doing it behind doors. There are articles on the helicopter diplomacy that is followed on how CEOs are whisked away to Gujarat overnight to put up their plants there,” Kharge said in an interaction with TOI on Saturday.
Micron, for instance, lined up a $2.7 billion investment for its semiconductor chip assembly and test facility in Sanand. Kharge made references to recent projects being moved into Gujarat to elaborate on his accusation.
“What happened to the Vedanta Foxconn project initially announced for Pune? Why did the Tata-Airbus plan move to Vadodara? Maharashtra lost close to around 2 lakh jobs and Rs 3 lakh crore business to Gujarat.” Kharge explained that companies usually come up with a list of states in terms of options they are evaluating. “There are options A, B, and C.
Where is the D coming from? Gujarat is D. What resources are not there in Karnataka? We have the policy, skill, all the resources.