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MB Patil, while speaking at News18’s Rising Karnataka Conclave, also raised the issue of defence corridor being allocated to Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu despite Karnataka leading in aerospace and defence manufacturing
Industries minister MB Patil was speaking at News18’s Rising Karnataka Conclave. (PTI)
After Tamil Nadu, Karnataka has accused the Union government of arm-twisting at least three semiconductor manufacturing firms to invest in Gujarat and other BJP-ruled states though they had shown interest in investing in the southern state.
Industries minister MB Patil, while speaking at News18’s Rising Karnataka Conclave, said three semiconductor companies had held discussions with the state and afterwards, they were diverted to other states by the Union government.
“Two-three companies, including Murugappa, who showed interest in investing in Karnataka didn’t come back after they went to Delhi. I don’t want to politicise but I have told [Union minister] HD Kumaraswamy that during his tenure, it will be good if semiconductor companies come to the state. The Union government has a bigger say in semiconductor policy, so companies go wherever they say. So, they go to Gujarat and other BJP-ruled states,” said Patil.
Karnataka is a leader in the semiconductor design sector with more than 100 Fabless chip design houses. Now, the state wants to ensure that part from design, even semiconductor manufacturing happens in Karnataka to gain from the whole semiconductor ecosystem.
The industries minister also raised the issues of defence corridor being allocated to Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu despite Karnataka leading in aerospace and defence manufacturing.
“When we say Akhand Bharat, you can’t differentiate between Congress-ruled states and BJP-ruled states. In aerospace and defence, Karnataka’s contribution is 67 per cent, but they gave defence corridor to Tamil Nadu and UP. I told Rajnath Singh about it and he felt it was wrong. They can give it to Karnataka and to UP, Tamil Nadu as well,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BJP has hit back at the Karnataka government, arguing that companies didn’t pick Bengaluru as the state has failed to fix infrastructural issues. “Companies are rejecting Bengaluru because there is no proper infrastructure. We see garbage and potholes everywhere. Worldwide news channels and media are covering potholes, rainfall and the floods. There is no proper infrastructure in Bengaluru and outside Bengaluru,” argued R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in Karnataka assembly.
