Indian States in race to woo Elon Musk

Hyderabad: The recent tweet by Elon Musk, world's richest man and CEO of US-based Tesla Inc, has been creating waves across India Inc as several States jumped on the bandwagon in inviting Musk by offering an industry-friendly policy. Maharashtra, West Bengal and Punjab invited Musk to set up unit in their states and offered all-sort of help. The latest moves come after Telangana Industry and Commerce Minister KT Rama Rao invited Musk to set up shop in the State.

Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Jayant Patil on Sunday offered Tesla CEO Elon Musk to set up manufacturing in the state for electric cars. West Bengal minister Md Ghulam Rabbani replied to Elon Musk's tweet where the Tesla CEO wrote that his company is still working through a lot of challenges with the Indian government in starting operation in the country. In his tweet to Musk, Patil said: "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."

Navjot Singh Sidhu, Punjab Congress chief, on Sunday invited Tesla CEO Elon Musk to set up manufacturing units in the state. Sidhu said the 'Punjab model' will create Ludhiana as hub for electric vehicles and battery industry with time bound single window clearance for investment.

"I 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," Sidhu said while replying to a tweet by Musk.

On January 13, Musk had informed that the EV maker is facing a 'lot of challenges' for its car launch in India. "Still working through a lot of challenges with the government," Musk tweeted.

Musk was replying to a Twitter user, who asked: "Yo @elonmusk any further update as to when Tesla's will launch in India? They're pretty awesome and deserve to be in every corner of the world!" In response to Musk, KT Rama Rao said Telangana is a champion in sustainability initiatives and his government would be happy to partner with Tesla in working through the challenges.

"Hey Elon, I am the Industry and Commerce Minister of Telangana state in India. Will be happy to partner Tesla in working through the challenges to set shop in India/Telangana," he said in a tweet.

"Our state is a champion in sustainability initiatives and a top notch business destination in India," he added.

Tesla wants to begin selling imported cars in India this year, but taxes in the country are among the highest in the world.

With a $39,990 global price tag, Tesla Model 3 may remain as an affordable model in the US but with import duties, it would become unaffordable in the Indian market with an expected price tag of around Rs 60 lakh.

Currently, India levies 100 per cent tax on the imported cars of price more than $40,000 (Rs 30 lakh) inclusive of insurance and shipping expenses, and cars less than $40,000 are subject to 60 per cent import tax.

Meanwhile, Rao was praised by the Twitterati for his reply to Musk by eminent personalities including actors, journalists and industry leaders. They also supported the idea of EV in India.

"Love this car so much Elon Musk. Feels like hope is around the corner," wrote actor Genelia Deshmukh.

"Elon Musk, Come to Hyderabad - India! It will be epic to have you. The Government here in Telangana is terrific too," tweeted actor Vijay Devarakonda.