Minister Vaishnaw Assures No Privatisation as SCL Readies for 100-Fold Production Increase
MOHALI: Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced a major push for India’s semiconductor ambitions, stating that the nation would soon become a global chip power, spearheaded by the Mohali-based Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL).
Speaking at the inauguration of the Semiconductor Process Gallery and the PARANGAT Semiconductor Training Lab at SCL yesterday, the Minister confirmed that the facility would be upgraded under the Prime Minister’s India Semiconductor Mission with a substantial investment of ₹4,500 crore.
This modernization drive will equip SCL with new tools and technology, aiming to increase its production capacity by 100 times to fulfil strategic, research, and student requirements for chip fabrication. Addressing employee concerns, Mr. Vaishnaw cleared prevailing doubts about privatisation, asserting that SCL would firmly remain a government-owned Research and Development organisation.
To facilitate the long-term growth and expansion, the Minister also requested the Punjab government to provide 25 acres of adjoining land to the SCL, Mohali.