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The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Ajit Pawar visit to Pune reignites Opposition charge of ‘flight' of industries
The spectre of industries, jobs and economic opportunities moving out or away from Maharashtra to other States reared its ahead again on Saturday (July 26, 2025) as a video of Deputy Chief Minister in conversation with a sarpanch from a Pune suburb referenced the issue. Conducting a 6 a.m. surprise visit the Hinjewadi area of the city to review ongoing efforts to tackle civic infrastructure issues that have worsened during the monsoon, Mr. Pawar was heard confronting Hinjewadi sarpanch Ganesh Jambhulkar, 'We are ruined. The entire Hinjewadi IT Park is moving out. It's going out of my Pune, out of Maharashtra, to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Don't you care at all?' The Deputy CM and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader was referring to the condition of the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi, spread over 2,800 acres and developed by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation in the mid-1990s, which houses over 800 IT and business entities including majors such as Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant, and Tech Mahindra. The visit came in response to severe waterlogging and traffic chaos during the first spell of monsoon, which had triggered public complaints. Sapkal criticism Following the video going viral, the Congress accused the Mahayuti government of failing to maintain Maharashtra's industrial dominance, citing crumbling infrastructure, corruption and lawlessness. 'The IT industry that once flourished in Hinjewadi during Congress rule is now migrating to Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar himself has admitted this,' said Harshvardhan Sapkal, president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. Mr. Sapkal questioned Mr. Pawar's dual role as Pune's Guardian Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. 'Was Ajit Pawar asleep while Pune declined? He must take responsibility and resign,' he demanded. Launching a sharp critique of the BJP-led alliance government, he said, 'Basic infrastructure is collapsing, and entrepreneurs are losing faith. As a result, not just existing businesses but even future investments are moving away – largely to Gujarat.' The Maharashtra Congress chief cited the ₹1.6-lakh-crore Vedanta-Foxconn project, which was lost to Gujarat, as an example of 'BJP's administrative failure'. 'If even the Deputy CM acknowledges the flight of industries, the government owes the public a clear explanation,' he said. Hinjewadi's decline In May 2024, the Hinjewadi Industries Association (HIA) had claimed that 37 IT companies moved out from the infotech park over the previous 10 years due to the deteriorating infrastructure and traffic congestion in the locality. A month later, NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule said she would hold meetings with the infotech park companies and convince them to stay back. 'The kind of IT park expansion we see elsewhere, like Bengaluru, has not happened here. We are potentially losing business – companies are reluctant to send their employees to Hinjewadi despite the government's efforts. It will take time to regain their confidence,' said Pawanjit Mane, Maharashtra State president of the Forum for IT Employees (FITE).
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's semiconductor ambitions: Bridging the gap with the US
Live Events I ndia Semiconductor Mission (ISM): A $10 billion program aimed at establishing a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, focusing on domestic chip design, fabrication, and R&D capabilities. [ A $10 billion program aimed at establishing a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, focusing on domestic chip design, fabrication, and R&D capabilities. [ Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Offers financial incentives to companies establishing chip fabrication units in India, aiming to attract global players and boost domestic manufacturing. Offers financial incentives to companies establishing chip fabrication units in India, aiming to attract global players and boost domestic manufacturing. Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme: Launched in 2021, this initiative seeks to train 85,000 engineers across 113 institutions in VLSI and embedded system design by 2027, addressing the critical need for skilled professionals. Launched in 2021, this initiative seeks to train 85,000 engineers across 113 institutions in VLSI and embedded system design by 2027, addressing the critical need for skilled professionals. These efforts are complemented by significant investments from global corporations. For instance, U.S.-based Lam Research plans to invest over $1 billion in Karnataka to boost India's semiconductor ecosystem, aligning with the government's vision to expand the industry. [ Infrastructure deficits: Semiconductor fabrication requires advanced infrastructure, including uninterrupted power and water supply, cleanroom environments, and specialised equipment. India's current infrastructure falls short, as evidenced by delays in projects like the Vedanta-Foxconn initiative due to inadequate facilities. Semiconductor fabrication requires advanced infrastructure, including uninterrupted power and water supply, cleanroom environments, and specialised equipment. India's current infrastructure falls short, as evidenced by delays in projects like the Vedanta-Foxconn initiative due to inadequate facilities. Skilled workforce shortage: While India produces approximately 600,000 engineering graduates annually, only a small fraction are job-ready for the semiconductor industry, particularly for fabrication-specific roles. This gap underscores the need for specialised training programs and industry-academia collaborations. While India produces approximately 600,000 engineering graduates annually, only a small fraction are job-ready for the semiconductor industry, particularly for fabrication-specific roles. This gap underscores the need for specialised training programs and industry-academia collaborations. Supply chain dependencies: India remains heavily reliant on imports for semiconductor components, exposing it to geopolitical risks and supply chain disruptions. Developing a resilient domestic supply chain is imperative for long-term sustainability. [ Enhancing infrastructure : Investments in state-of-the-art facilities, reliable utilities, and logistical support are crucial to attract and retain semiconductor manufacturers. : Investments in state-of-the-art facilities, reliable utilities, and logistical support are crucial to attract and retain semiconductor manufacturers. Strengthening education and training : Expanding programs like C2S and fostering partnerships between academia and industry can cultivate a skilled workforce tailored to the industry's needs.[ : Expanding programs like C2S and fostering partnerships between academia and industry can cultivate a skilled workforce tailored to the industry's needs.[ Encouraging research and innovation : Increasing R&D spending and promoting innovation through grants and incentives can position India as a hub for semiconductor research. : Increasing R&D spending and promoting innovation through grants and incentives can position India as a hub for semiconductor research. Building strategic alliances: Collaborating with global leaders and participating in initiatives like the United States–India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) can facilitate technology transfer and joint ventures. [ As the global semiconductor industry undergoes rapid transformation, India stands at a pivotal juncture, poised to redefine its role in this critical sector. While the United States maintains a strong position with its robust infrastructure and significant investments, India's strategic initiatives and burgeoning talent pool signal a determined stride toward establishing itself as a formidable US semiconductor industry, valued at approximately $250 billion in 2025, commands nearly 47% of the global market share in design and manufacturing. This presence is underpinned by substantial investments exceeding $200 billion since 2020, bolstered by the CHIPS and Science Act, which allocates $52 billion to rejuvenate domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on Asian supply chains.[ In contrast, India's semiconductor market, though smaller at $54 billion, is projected to double to $108 billion by 2030. India's strength lies in its design capabilities, contributing 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce. However, it currently holds a mere 0.1% of global wafer fabrication capacity, highlighting a significant gap in manufacturing infrastructure. [ /]Recognising the strategic importance of semiconductors, the Indian government has launched several initiatives:Despite these initiatives, India faces several challenges:To bridge the gap with global leaders, India must adopt a multifaceted approach:India's journey in the semiconductor domain is marked by ambition and potential. While challenges persist, strategic initiatives, coupled with global collaborations and a focus on infrastructure and skill development, can propel India toward becoming a significant player in the global semiconductor landscape. The road ahead requires concerted efforts from the government, industry, and academia to realize this vision.
