Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s semiconductor-related initiatives, Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday (June 15) said he will work towards fulfilling them through his ministry.

His remark comes a day after he reportedly raised questions about the US-based semiconductor manufacturer potentially receiving a ₹3.2 crore subsidy for every job it creates in Gujarat.

“Semiconductor is a strategic industry. It is a basic requirement for electronics and automobile manufacturing. Both these sectors generate lots of employment. I greatly appreciate the semiconductor-related initiatives taken by @PMOIndia and will work towards fulfilling them through my ministry,” Kumaraswamy posted on ‘X’.

Later, addressing reporters in Bengaluru, the JD(S) leader stressed on the need for creating more jobs along with attracting investments to the country.

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“Why has our PM given me this big portfolio? Why he has confidence in me? It is a big responsibility that the PM has given me. My work is to bring investors in a big way. Not only bringing investors, but parallelly, we have to create more jobs. jobs, I have to come to the expectations of the PM,” he added.

Terming as “unjustifiable” the central government subsidy given to US-headquartered semiconductor maker Micron for every job it creates in Gujarat, Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries MB Patil on Saturday said Kumaraswamy’s question on this matter is appropriate.

“If this is applicable to Gujarat, then the same formula should be followed for other states to create opportunities,” said Patil. He expressed his opinion in a post on ‘X’, seconding Union Minister Kumaraswamy’s remarks.

“Micron, which plans to set up its unit in Gujarat (Sanand) with an investment of USD 2.70 billion, is expected to create 5,000 jobs. In return, the company would receive USD 2.0 billion in incentives (50 per cent from the central government and 20% per cent from the Gujarat government).

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The logic behind this is not justifiable,” Patil quoted Kumaraswamy as saying while addressing JD(S) workers on Friday. Patil also remarked that if a company is given this much incentive, it could be considered a public sector undertaking (PSU).

“It could be a welcome step if higher incentives are extended to create a conducive industrial ecosystem, and this policy should be the same for other states as well. However, currently, the Centre’s approach seems to favour Gujarat, which is the Prime Minister’s home state,” the Karnataka Minister said while voicing concern that this could lead to disparity among states.