Karnataka minister criticizes Goyal over his 'new Silicon Valley' comment
Karnataka Minister MB Patil responded to Union Minister Piyush Goyal's call for a new Silicon Valley in India with frustration, posting on X. He pointed out that "Bengaluru is in India" and emphasized that the city took decades to develop its current infrastructure. The Karnataka Industries Minister questioned Goyal's push for another Silicon Valley for entrepreneurs and innovators, highlighting Goyal's comment with, "Our Own? Bengaluru is in India. India is our country. Bengaluru wasn't built in a day."
Patil urges Goyal to support Bengaluru's development
Earlier, during a meeting, Goyal said, "I know Bengaluru is the Silicon Valley of India, but it is time to create our own Silicon Valley." He called for new townships for entrepreneurs, start-ups, and innovators, where "people with ideas" could connect and implement them. In response, Karnataka Minister MB Patil urged Goyal to collaborate in further developing the KHIR (Knowledge, Health Innovation, and Research) city, adding that it is "only in Bengaluru."
Read: Patil's post here
What is KHIR city
The Karnataka government is planning to establish KHIR City between Dabaspet and Doddaballapur, approximately 60km from Bengaluru. This project aims to attract ₹40,000 crore in investments across healthcare, innovation, and knowledge sectors. It is expected to create 80,000 jobs and focus on key areas such as mobility, semiconductors and advanced materials, aerospace, defense and space technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
Karnataka-Centre tussle over funds
To recall, the Congress-led Karnataka government and the National Democratic Alliance-led Centre have been at odds over financial matters. The state has claimed that it is not receiving its fair share of funds from the Union government. To address this issue, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has reached out to his counterparts in eight states, including four in the south, to negotiate a better financial deal with the Centre.
