Chandigarh. Congress’ Punjab unit chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday joined the list of ministers from non-BJP-ruled states- West Bengal, Telangana and Maharashtra, who have appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of US-based electric vehicle maker Tesla Elon Musk. have been invited to set up a unit of the company in their respective states.
Telangana Industries Minister KT Rama Rao, Maharashtra Minister Jayant Patil, West Bengal Minister Mohammad Ghulam Rabbani and Sidhu tagged Musk’s January 13 tweet and assured him of providing necessary help. The Tesla chief, in his tweet, had talked about the many challenges he has to face in the direction of launching the company’s product in India. Tesla had last year sought a cut in import duty on electric vehicles in India.
The Ministry of Heavy Industries had asked Tesla to first start manufacturing its electric vehicles in India, only after that any tax exemption can be considered.
Sidhu tweeted, “I invite Elon Musk. The Punjab model will make Ludhiana a hub for the electric vehicles and battery industry, with time-bound approvals for investments that will bring new technology, employment generation, environment protection and sustainable development to Punjab.”
Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil assured Musk of all possible help. Patil tweeted, “Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states of India. We will provide you all necessary help from Maharashtra side to work in India. We invite you to set up your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra.”
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At the same time, Telangana Minister Rama Rao wrote on Twitter on Friday, “Alan, I am the Minister of Industries and Commerce of the state of Telangana, India. I would be happy to help Tesla overcome the challenges of setting up a facility in India/Telangana. Our state is one of the top business centers of India. It specializes in taking such initiatives forward.” West Bengal Minority Development and Madrasa Education Minister Mohammad Ghulam Rabbani on Sunday invited Musk to do business in the state. However, the BJP termed the minister’s proposal as ridiculous.
In response to Musk’s tweet, Rabbani wrote on Twitter, “Work here, we have the best facilities in West Bengal and our leader Mamata Banerjee has the vision.” Making fun of Rabbani, BJP’s IT cell in-charge Amit Malviya tried to remind him of the past records of the state.
Malviya tweeted, “You may think this is a joke, but it is not. The Minister in charge of Minorities and Madrasa Education of West Bengal has proposed Elon Musk to invest in West Bengal. His proposal will start with Mamata Banerjee’s record of post-poll violence and end with the Singur agitation.” (agency)