Kumaraswamy says semiconductor sector vital for India's strategy; statement on job creation misquoted

Kumaraswamy was appointed as the Minister for Steel on June 10.

H D Kumaraswamy of JD(S), the Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries on June 15 said that bringing semiconductor sector in India is strategic. "..we require it. Parallelly, we have to create jobs for the second-line sector, our small-scale industry," he said.

His comments come after reports on June 14 said he questioned the necessity of investments like the $2.5 billion semiconductor unit by US-based Micron Technology in Gujarat, which could receive subsidies amounting to Rs 3.2 crore per job created.

#WATCH | Karnataka: Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy clarifies on his purported comment regarding US Semiconductor firm, Micron Technology getting subsidies for every job created in Gujarat, says, "Bringing semiconductor sector in India is strategic, we require it. Parallelly, we… pic.twitter.com/CpnqIwTGhW

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— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2024

"The new manufacturing unit will generate about 5,000 jobs. For this, we are giving them $2 billion in subsidies. If you calculate, that’s 70% of the company’s total investment,” Kumaraswamy stated in Bengaluru, as reported by the Times of India.

During a televised live address to party workers, after mentioning the company's name, he clarified that he was not authorised to disclose this information, the report added.

Moneycontrol couldn't independently verify the report.

Also Read | From Kumaraswamy to Chirag Paswan: Meet the fresh faces in Modi government 3.0

As per the report, Kumaraswamy asked officials how justifiable it is to allocate such a significant amount of funds. "Conversely, there are small-scale industries... In Peenya (an industrial estate in Bengaluru), there are small-scale industries. How many lakh jobs have they created? What benefits have we provided to them? I am contemplating these matters, such as how to safeguard the nation’s wealth," he added.

MB Patil, Minister for Commerce & Industries, Infrastructure GoK agreed with Kumaraswamy. He tweeted:

Completely Agree, Incentivize industries that create jobs.

If the government provides 70% funding for the project, might as well call it a PSU.

Even if it’s to kick start an ecosystem, all states should, if not benefit, I would say have an “Equal Opportunity/Level Playing… https://t.co/5lS4oakDD8

— M B Patil (@MBPatil) June 15, 2024

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for entrusting him with the steel and heavy industries portfolios, Kumaraswamy pledged to prioritise creating employment opportunities for the nation's youth. “I can facilitate job opportunities beyond the state as well. You must be willing to relocate,” he added according to the report.

Kumaraswamy  was appointed as the Minister for Steel on June 10.

The JD(S) leader won the Mandya constituency in Karnataka, against Congress' Venkataramane Gowda (also known as Star Chandru).

Kumaraswamy won by a margin of over 2.84 lakh votes, polling more than 8.51 lakh votes in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. His closest rival, Gowda, garnered 5.67 lakh votes.