File photo: Union minister Ashwini Vasihnaw (Picture credit: PTI)
NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi’s praise for “transformative” job creation in Karnataka led I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Wednesday to assert that it was an acknowledgement of the success of PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ programme.He said on X, “Thanks Rahul Gandhi for acknowledging the success of PM Modi’s ‘Make in India’ programme. As you have noted, we are becoming a producer economy as we implement our PM’s vision.”In a recent social media post, the LoP in Lok Sabha had cited a news report to highlight the hiring of 30,000 staff in 8-9 months, the fastest factor ramp-up seen in India so far, by Foxconn in the Congress-ruled Karnataka.Rahul had said, “It is transformative job creation. What makes it even more powerful is that the unit is largely women-led, with around 80% women, most aged 19-24, and for many, this is their first job. Karnataka is setting an example by creating an ecosystem where manufacturing can grow at this scale and speed. This is India we must build: jobs with dignity, and opportunities for all.”Officials pointed out that it was during Covid that the Modi government, tapping into the widespread recognition to diversify supply chains, nudged Apple’s vendors, including Foxconn, to shift significant parts of their manufacturing operations from China. The nudge often resembled a covert operation as Beijing sought to block reshoring. At the time, it was a BJP government in Karnataka and Centre’s production linked incentives played a major role as it provided sops to mobile manufacturers. The government followed it up with incentives for electronic components.Since then Foxconn has bolstered its operations in the country with a large presence in Tamil Nadu and is also looking at facilities in UP.
