Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Wednesday stated that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent appreciation for large-scale job creation in Karnataka was an implicit acknowledgment of the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship 'Make in India' initiative.
Social Media Exchange Highlights Manufacturing Push
The minister took to social media platform X to respond to the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha. He wrote, "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."
This reaction was prompted by a post from Rahul Gandhi, where he cited a news report highlighting the rapid hiring of 30,000 staff within 8-9 months by electronics manufacturing giant Foxconn in Karnataka, a state currently governed by the Congress party. Gandhi described the feat as "the fastest factory ramp-up seen in India so far."
Transformative and Women-Led Employment
In his detailed post, Rahul Gandhi emphasized the transformative nature of the job creation. "It is transformative job creation," he said. He particularly noted the gender composition of the workforce, stating, "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."
He credited the Congress-ruled state for setting an example by creating a conducive ecosystem for manufacturing to grow at unprecedented scale and speed, envisioning it as a model for an India built on "jobs with dignity, and opportunities for all."
Strategic Shift During COVID-19 Pandemic
Officials familiar with the development pointed out that the foundation for this expansion was laid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Modi government, capitalizing on a global push to diversify supply chains away from China, actively encouraged Apple's vendors, including Foxconn, to shift significant parts of their manufacturing base to India.
This strategic nudge often resembled a covert operation, as Beijing attempted to block the relocation of these crucial supply chains. At that critical juncture, Karnataka was under a BJP government, and the Centre's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme played a major role by providing sops to mobile phone manufacturers. This was later supplemented with incentives for electronic components.
Foxconn's Growing Footprint Across India
Since the initial push, Foxconn has significantly bolstered its operations in the country. The company has established a large manufacturing presence in Tamil Nadu and is also actively exploring setting up new facilities in Uttar Pradesh, indicating a deepening commitment to India as a key global manufacturing hub.
The exchange between the two political leaders underscores a rare point of convergence on an economic outcome, albeit with differing attributions for the success, bringing the focus back on India's evolving manufacturing landscape and job creation potential.
