No govt communication that we're not pursuing Vedanta's 28nm fab proposal, clarifies Rajeev Chandrasekar
1 min read 31 May 2023, 03:44 PM ISTEarlier today, Chandrasekhar tweeted that India will start accepting and considering new applications for fabrication plants from new and existing applicants under the India Semiconductor Mission.
PremiumUnion Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar has clarified that there is no communication from the government that we are not pursuing Vedanta's 28nm fab proposal after certain reports said that the government is planning to deny crucial funding for Anil Agarwal's chip venture.
The minister told CNBC-TV18 that Vedanta is trying to locate technology for a 28nm fab - still a work in progress. Earlier today, he tweeted that India will start accepting and considering new applications for fabrication plants from new and existing applicants under the India Semiconductor Mission.
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We are now reopening the window for semiconductors, open indefinitely. We are allowing existing applicants to re-apply for more mature nodes. We are opening up a fresh window for applications, he said.
The first window for more expensive 28-nanometer fabrication plants was kept open for 45 days only in January 2022 and received three applications that were evaluated by India Semiconductor Mission and its Advisory group.
The government's strategy now is to encourage mature nodes of more than 40 nanometers, Chandrasekhar said. For this, the current and new players may apply afresh in various nodes where they have the technology. There is an expectation that some of the current applicants will reapply and new fresh investors shall also apply.
The minister added that Vedanta had applied for 28nm, and is now more interested in pursuing 40nm nodes with the technology that they have and hence if Vedanta has access to 40nm technology the company can apply again under the new window. There is no rejection of any proposal at this stage, he clarified.
Last year, Anil Aggarwal announced Vedanta's ambitious plans to build 28 nanometer chips in India in a partnership with Hon Hai, widely known as Foxconn. This will build India’s “own Silicon Valley", Anil Aggarwal said.
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