Centre’s rules were not in favour of Foxconn unit in Pune: Fadnavis

The five-billion dollar investment by Foxconn faced uncertainty, after the firm stopped showing interest in executing its plans. The plant set up by the company in Navi Mumbai, too, is not functional

Global electronic manufacturing giant Foxconn’s plan to set up a unit for refurbished devices in Pune was delayed owing the Central government’s rules, said chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday. He said the issue has now been sorted out and the Taiwanese firm is excited to come to India.

The five-billion dollar investment by Foxconn faced uncertainty, after the firm stopped showing interest in executing its plans. The plant set up by the company in Navi Mumbai, too, is not functional.

Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer, which makes Apple’s iPhone and iPad, had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government in August last year, according to which the company was expected to make an investment worth five billion dollars and create direct employment for 50,000 people.

The state had notified 1,500 acres in Chakan-Talegaon of Pune for the project. However, even after one year, the company is yet to submit its land requirement for the project. It is believed the CM wanted to relocate the project from Pune to somewhere in Nagpur, his hometown, which was refuted by Fadnavis.

Speaking at HT office, CM said the firm was having certain issues with the central government. “They [Foxconn] want the Centre to allow refurbishing activities in the project. The Central government thinks allowing this would lead to India becoming a dump for electronic waste. However, issues have been resolved now. All other problems are also fixed,” Fadnavis said, adding he spoke to Terry Gou, founder of the firm and they are excited to come to India.

Apoorva Chandra, principal secretary, said they have not received land requirement from Foxconn, based on which the process for allotting land could have been started. “Foxconn wanted refurbishing to be allowed in India to make their manufacturing profitable. If we allow them the refurbishing, our country will end up becoming the dumping ground for e-waste. Except that, all their problems were fixed,” Fadnavis said.