PM Modi to inaugurate Rs 27,000 crore semiconductor plant in Assam

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday will lay the foundation stone of three semiconductor projects, including an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility at Morigaon, Assam. While the cumulative outlay for these projects is around Rs 1.25 lakh crore, the projected budget for the plant in Assam is around Rs 27,000 crore.

The inauguration event, during which the PM will also address youth across the country, is being called ‘India’s Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat’. "It has been the vision of the Prime Minister to position India as a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing, and technology development, fostering the creation of employment opportunities for the nation's youth", the PM's office said in a statement ahead of the event, which will be held via videoconferencing.

A semiconductor is a substance that has specific electrical properties that enable it to serve as a foundation for computers and other electronic devices.

On Sunday, the Assam cabinet arranged to pass on all the incentives outlined in the Assam Semiconductor Policy 2023 to Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test (TSAT), a unit of the Tata Group, which will build the plant. The decision was made immediately after the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology's approval to set up the semiconductor unit in Assam.

"The Assam Semiconductor Policy 2023 aims to provide a conducive environment for semiconductor manufacturing in the region", an official commented on the development. "By granting these incentives to TSAT, the state government is planning to boost the semiconductor industry and contribute to the overall economic development of Assam."

The Industries, Commerce, and Public Enterprises department has been entrusted with overseeing the disbursement of payments, ensuring strict adherence to the eligibility criteria outlined in the policy. This will facilitate a seamless implementation of the policy and maximize the benefits for the semiconductor industry.

In addition to the semiconductor venture, the state cabinet, announced an allocation of Rs 131.71 crore for the beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar, along with the construction of a state-of-the-art cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 20,000 spectators at the Amingaon Sports Complex.