Latest news with #KEONICS
Mint
5 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
Cleared for US visit, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge now questions MEA's ‘U-Turn' for rejecting his request earlier
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday questioned the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) over their decision to grant him permission to visit the US, when an application for the same was rejected earlier. In a detailed post on X, Kharge said that the ministry had taken a 'U-Turn' and sought explanation for the same. The Karnataka Minister highlighted that he sought permission for his US travel to represent the Karnataka government between June 14 and 27 on May 15 at two major global forums and hold 25 official meetings with top companies, universities and institutions for collaborations and pitch for investments. He explained that the application for the minister and his delegation was submitted on May 15, which was later rejected on June 4. Kharge added that an application for the officer delegation without the minister was submitted on June 6 and it got clearance on June 11. The minister said that his application was rejected without any reason or any official explanation. He also said that the application of the KEONICS Chairman, which was submitted on May 12, was cleared on May 14. The Karnataka Minister said that he addressed a press conference on the matter on June 19, explaining the chronology and raising concerns about the possible political interference. Following the MEA's decision to grant clearance to Kharge for travelling to the US, he asked why his application was rejected in the first instance. Kharge queried whether MEA revoked its previous order to any kind of accountability after the matter became "public". He also said that the MEA issued a 'No Objection' certificate dated June 19. '36 days after my original application, 15 days after the official denial and 5 days after my scheduled departure, they 'revoke' their previous decision,' Kharge wrote in his post on X. 'The timing raises serious questions: Why was the clearance denied in the first place? Was the previous order revoked to avoid accountability after the matter became public? What is the point of granting clearance after the key events are either over or nearing completion? Will the MEA now avoid explaining the original decision by pointing to the belated approval?' Kharge asked on X. Criticising the central government, Kharge said that while they coin visions like 'Make In India', 'Digital India' and 'India AI Mission', ministers like him are blocked by the government from doing 'the work'. 'While the Centre gives us slogans like 'Make in India,' 'Digital India', 'National Quantum Mission' and 'India AI Mission,' the real work to realise these aspirations is happening here in Karnataka. They coin the vision, but when we do the work to bring investments, create jobs and position India as a global leader - they block us,' Kharge wrote. 'The Prime Minister once said: MAGA + MIGA = MEGA. But what does that even mean in practice, when the very state driving India's tech and innovation engine is denied the support it needs to lead globally? These questions warrant an urgent response. Karnataka deserves answers,' the minister added.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Priyank Kharge questions MEA's ‘U-turn' on clearance for US trip: 'Chronology samajhiye…'
Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge on Saturday criticised the ministry of external affairs (MEA) for what he called a 'U-turn' on its earlier denial of political clearance for his official visit to the United States. Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge said the clearance was finally granted on June 19 – 36 days after his initial application and five days after his scheduled departure.(File) Taking to social media platform X, Priyank Kharge said the clearance was finally granted on June 19 – 36 days after his initial application and five days after his scheduled departure. 'So in a U-turn, the Ministry of External Affairs has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me a clearance for an official visit to the United States,' Kharge said, questioning the delay and motives behind the initial rejection. Earlier, the Congress leader also claimed he had applied on May 15 for clearance to travel between June 14 and 27 to represent the Karnataka government at two global forums – BIO International Convention in Boston and the Design Automation Conference (DAC) in San Francisco – along with over 25 meetings with major companies, universities, and institutions to pitch for investments and collaborations. Kharge alleged that his original request, which included officers as part of the delegation, was denied on June 4 without any official explanation. A revised application for officers alone was approved on June 11. A subsequent request for clearance of KEONICS Chairman only was cleared on June 14. "Chronology samajhiye," he remarked in his post, laying out the sequence of applications and decisions. 'Application for Minister + Officers Delegation made on 15 May — rejected on 4 June. Application for Officers Delegation without Minister on 6 June — cleared on 11 June. Application for KEONICS Chairman only on 12 June — cleared on 14 June. My application was denied without any official explanation. On 19 June, I addressed a press conference, laying out the full chronology, questioning the basis of the denial and raising concerns about possible political interference. The matter was widely reported in the media. By the evening of the same day, the MEA revoked its earlier denial and issued a No Objection clearance dated 19 June,' Kharge said a lengthy post. '36 days after my original application, 15 days after the official denial and 5 days after my scheduled departure, they 'revoke' their previous decision,' the Congress leader added. Questioning 'why was the clearance denied in the first place', Kharge argued that most of the key engagements were either already concluded or nearing completion. "What is the point of granting clearance after the key events are either over or nearing completion?" he asked, demanding accountability. Kharge had earlier written to external affairs minister S Jaishankar, seeking a formal clarification on the denial of political clearance for his scheduled official visit to the US. Taking to social media platform 'X' on Friday, he said he has written to Jaishankar, seeking clarity on why political clearance for his official visit to the US was denied. "I do so with a deep sense of responsibility to the people of Karnataka, to whom I am duty-bound. The visit was aimed at strengthening collaborations, attracting investments and creating employment opportunities for the state," he said. Kharge expressed that denying a Cabinet minister and the "custodian of one of the world's largest technology clusters", the ability to carry out such official responsibilities without explanation, raises serious concerns. It was not only against the interests of the state but also undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism. In his letter dated June 19, Kharge stated that participation in such visits are aligned with the national priorities and would have directly supported the larger vision of Viksit Bharat laid out by the Prime Minister. (With inputs from PTI)
The Hindu
25-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
IT Centre of KEONICS in Mangaluru expected to be ready in two-and-half years
An Information Technology (IT) Centre proposed to be developed by the KEONICS in Mangaluru is expected to be ready in next two-and-half years, according to its chairman Sharat Bache Gowda. Speaking at 'Techwaves 2025: Rise of the Silicon Beach of India' event here on Friday Mr. Gowda said that the centre will come up on 3.5 acre land of KEONICS at Bluberry Hills. 'About four lakh sq ft. to five lakh sq ft. space will be initially made available to the companies. The space can be increased up to 10 lakh sq ft. in the later years,' he said. Mr. Gowda said that the bidding process for the project will be out next month and the ground breaking ceremony for the project will be held in June. It will require about two-and-half years to complete the project, he said. The chairman who is also MLA said that the government providing incentives to an industry will not help much for its growth. Talent mattered in the growth of an industry. It may be mentioned here that in his 2025-26 Budget speech Chief Minister Siddaramaiah mentioned on March 7 that Mangaluru will be among three cities in the State where KEONICS will set up new Global Technology Centres as plug-and-play facilities. Startup ecosystem will be developed in Mangaluru and Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad and Kalaburagi, he said. Speaking at the event on Friday, Capt. Brijesh Chowta, Dakshina Kannada MP, said that Mangaluru based IT companies should have grown in the city long ago. Capt. Chowta said that Mangaluru also has the potential for promoting petrochemical industries, maritime sector and healthcare sector. The MP said that he is working on a proposal to set up a Maritime University in Mangaluru. Panel sessions were held on 'rise of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and their role in Mangaluru'; 'Rise of Deep Tech in Mangaluru'; and 'Mangaluru's dominance in the IT services industry'.
