China’s rare earth mineral curbs threaten Telangana’s EV, electronics industries: Telangana IT and industries minister D Sridhar Babu

HYDERABAD: IT and industries minister D Sridhar Babu sought the Central govt's intervention on two critical fronts affecting the state's industrial landscape - China's curbs on rare earth element exports and the unresolved status of lands allotted to central public sector units (CPSUs) in Telangana.He raised these issues during separate meetings with Union commerce and industries minister Piyush Goyal and Union minister of heavy industries and public enterprises HD Kumaraswamy in New Delhi on Wednesday. During his meeting with Piyush Goyal, Sridhar Babu highlighted the severe impact of China's recent restrictions on rare earth exports, which are crucial for the manufacturing of electronics and electric vehicles.

"Rare earth magnets, critical raw materials, and chemicals required for the production of electronics and electric vehicles are largely imported from China, which recently imposed restrictions on exports of such materials. This has affected the industries manufacturing electronics and EVs. If this situation continues, it could lead to significant losses. Telangana's manufacturing sector is particularly vulnerable to this impact," he said, urging the Centre to explore alternative supply arrangements to mitigate the impact on the electronics and EV industries.

He also urged the release of funds for the development of Warangal airport as well as the development of Hyderabad-Nagpur, Hyderabad-Warangal, Hyderabad-Bengaluru, and Hyderabad-Vijayawada industrial corridors. In a separate meeting with HD Kumaraswamy, Sridhar Babu raised the long-standing issue of CPSU lands in Telangana and expressed concern over the idle status of nearly 7,000 acres allotted to around half a dozen defunct or non-operational enterprises. He also mooted the establishment of a National Design Centre in Hyderabad to elevate India's design sector and promote global recognition for 'Made in India' products.