HD Kumaraswamy challenges Priyank Kharge to account for IT-BT jobs
The Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel hit back at the Karnataka Minister after being called an unemployment minister.
Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday challenged Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge to disclose the investments attracted and jobs created by the IT-BT department, according to The New Indian Express.
Speaking in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy said he had taken Kharge's criticism of him as an "unemployment minister" as a challenge. He accused Kharge of making statements without understanding the work being undertaken by his ministry.
Kumaraswamy stated that when he took charge, BHEL was making a profit of around Rs 200 crore, which has now crossed Rs 1,500 crore. He also noted that SAIL has recorded 315 per cent growth.
The Union Minister cited the sale of more than 30 lakh electric vehicles under central incentive programmes. He mentioned the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme, which is deploying more than 38,000 electric buses, with 4,500 allocated to Bengaluru.
Kumaraswamy claimed Karnataka is losing appeal as an investment destination and cited Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India’s decision to withdraw a proposed electric vehicle project at Narsapura in Kolar. He asked the state government to explain the reasons for this.
Additionally, Kumaraswamy announced that HMT will launch five special 'HMT Kannadiga' watch models on Sunday, November 1, to mark Karnataka Rajyotsava. The watches will be priced between Rs 3,500 and Rs 3,600.