Investment by telecom companies under the production-linked incentive scheme has crossed the halfway mark of Rs 2,419 crore, resulting in the employment of 17,753 people, telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday.

“Today, in the telecom sector, we have crossed a major milestone where PLI-supported companies have already completed an investment of Rs 2,419 crore, where the sales are at Rs 34,516 crore, exports are Rs 7,600 crore, and employment is 17,753. This is a great milestone for the telecom industry,” Vaishnaw said.

The government shortlisted 42 companies in October 2022 that committed a total investment of Rs 4,115 crore and are likely to generate additional sales of Rs 2.45 lakh crore and employ over 44,000 people during the six-year scheme period ending 2025-26.

He was speaking at the virtual inauguration of a production line to manufacture 4G and 5G connectivity modules and data cards for US-based Telit Cinterion by VVDN.

“Very complex manufacturing has started, and young girls are getting trained in handling complex machines,” Vaishnaw said.

VVDN is one of the companies shortlisted under the PLI scheme.

In a veiled attack on former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, the minister said critics of “Make In India” should visit VVDN plants to see the depth that the country is acquiring in telecom and electronics manufacturing. Rajan in a social media post a few months back had raised questions on value addition in electronics manufacturing.

The minister said telecom equipment has been imported into the country for a long time. “Today, telecom equipment manufactured in India is exported to many countries, such as the US, European countries and Japan. We feel proud that our products are accepted as high quality in these countries,” Vaishnaw said.