There seems to be no shortage of invitations for Tesla CEO Elon Musk as several Indian ministers now look to lure the EV maker to set up base in their represented states. Musk was recently approached by Telangana minister KT Rama Rao followed by other ministers from West Bengal and Maharashtra. The latest to invite the EV maker to his state is Punjab Congress Chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, who took to Twitter to reach out to Elon Musk.
Also Read: Telangana Minister KT Rama Rao Invites Tesla CEO Elon Musk To Set Shop In The State
undefinedI invite @elonmusk, Punjab Model will create Ludhiana as hub for Electric Vehicles & Battery industry with time bound single window clearance for investment that brings new technology to Punjab, create green jobs, walking path of environment preservation & sustainable development https://t.co/kXDMhcdVi6
— Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) January 16, 2022
Quoting Musk's earlier tweet, Sidhu said on Twitter, "I invite @elonmusk, Punjab Model will create Ludhiana as a hub for Electric Vehicles & Battery industry with time-bound single window clearance for investment that brings new technology to Punjab, create green jobs, walking path of environment preservation & sustainable development."
This invitation from Sidhu came after Musk responded to a Twitter user, saying that the company is still working on a lot of challenges with the Indian government.
West Bengal's Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Minister Md. Ghulam Rabbani asked Musk to invest in his state as it has the "best" infrastructure.
undefined.@elonmusk, Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states in India. We will provide you all the necessary help from Maharashtra for you to get established in India. We invite you to establish your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra. https://t.co/w8sSZTpUpb
— Jayant Patil- जयंत पाटील (@Jayant_R_Patil) January 16, 2022
Moreover, Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil also approached Musk calling him to set up a base in the state. He tweeted, "@elonmusk, Maharashtra is one of the most progressive states in India. We will provide you all the necessary help from Maharashtra for you to get established in India. We invite you to establish your manufacturing plant in Maharashtra."
Tesla seeks a big reduction in import duties on EVs from the Indian government
The EV maker has been lobbying the Indian government to reduce import duty on electric vehicles to 40 per cent, saying that this step would make EVs more affordable and boost sales. The Ministry of Heavy Industries and Ministry of Finance earlier had asked Tesla to increase localisation and share ramp-up plans along with considering local assembly of cars, before seeking any relief from the government. However, the company hasn't given any commitments or assurance regarding the same.
