Foxconn plans to start manufacturing iPhones at Bengaluru plant by April 2024: Minister M B Patil
Bengaluru(PTI): Tech giant Apple's contract manufacturer Foxconn has plans to start manufacturing iPhone units at its proposed Devanahalli plant near here by April 2024 and the state government would hand over required land for the company by July 1 this year, Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil has said.
He stated this after a meeting with the representatives of the company who met him as part of a courtesy visit on Thursday. State IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge was also present.
With this, the new government has speeded up the process of the Rs 13,600 crore project that is expected to create 50,000 jobs, an official release said.
"The identified 300 acres of land at ITIR (Information Technology Investment Region) of Devanahalli would be handed over by July 1, 2023. Along with this, the government would ensure providing 5 million litres per day (MLD) of water, quality power supply, road connectivity, and other infrastructure facilities," Patil said.
"The company has been asked to provide the details of the skill sets it seeks in employees. Accordingly, steps will be taken to facilitate training programmes for eligible candidates to make them employable," he said.
The Taiwan-based global company has already paid 30 per cent of the cost towards the land (Rs 90 crore) to Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), the release said.
It has set a goal of completing the project in three phases and also targeted manufacturing 20 million units (2 crore units) annually from the plant after the completion of all three phases, it added.
Huge boost for Karnataka with Foxconn’s Project Elephant.
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) June 1, 2023
They will set up an iPhone assembly plant with an investment of $ 1.7 Bn & will generate 50,000 jobs.
The proposed annual capacity up to 20 million smartphone units per annum.@CMofKarnataka @DKShivakumar pic.twitter.com/kQAuoIPhbI
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Karnataka HC sets aside NGT order against MEG over Halasuru Lake pollution
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has quashed a May 20, 2022, National Green Tribunal (NGT) order that held the Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and Centre, Bengaluru, responsible for pollution in Halasuru Lake.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice NV Anjaria and Justice KV Aravind ruled that the NGT's order, which imposed an environmental compensation of ₹2.94 crore on MEG, was issued without granting them an opportunity to be heard, violating principles of natural justice.
The court has remanded the case back to the NGT, Southern Zone, Chennai, for reconsideration. The NGT has been directed to decide afresh on the imposition of environmental compensation after providing a fair hearing to MEG.
However, the High Court ordered MEG to deposit ₹1 crore with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) as per the August 2024 NGT directive. This deposit will remain subject to the outcome of the fresh proceedings.
The NGT initiated the case in March 2016 following a news report that alleged pollution by a slaughterhouse, MEG, and the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB). The BWSSB was also directed to pay ₹1 crore as environmental compensation.
Additional Solicitor General Arvind Kamath, representing MEG, argued that an open stormwater drain under BWSSB flows through MEG’s premises into the lake, contributing to the pollution. He stated that the sewage load from MEG is minimal and plans for a 1,200-KLD sewage treatment plant (STP) are underway.
The bench noted that no proper liability assessment had been conducted against MEG, and no opportunity was provided for them to present their defence before the demand notice was issued.
The matter will now be re-examined by the NGT.
