The Congress hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 15 August, for his swipe at its governments that the idea of semiconductors faced “foeticide” 50-60 years ago, saying the Semiconductors Complex Limited in Chandigarh started operations in 1983.

Addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, Modi said the first made-in-India semiconductor chip will be launched in the market by the end of this year.

“About 50-60 years ago, files on semiconductors were opened, and discussions on having a factory began. But my youths, you will be surprised that the semiconductor, which has become the strength of the world, that thought process, faced foeticide 50-60 years ago,” the PM said.