New Delhi:
Union Commerce Minister Piyush GoyalNote for Indian startups – asking them to focus on more advanced technical solutions than food distribution – online a debate has been done online.
Some industry leaders, such as Zepto Co -founder Habit municipalityIt was informed that India’s consumer startup has generated thousands of crores of rupees and provided employment opportunities in the tax contribution.
Some other, like former Bharatpe Managing Director Ashner groverMinister reminds China – in the headlines after another Hangzo-based research lab launched DeepsacAn advanced artificial intelligence – powered chatbot – also began with food distribution initiative before further evolving.
It all started with Mr. Goyal, which appeared to take a shot in the startup sector.
At an investment program in Delhi, he said, “We are making food/hyper delivery apps; to build cheap labor so that rich can eat without steps, while Chinese AI (Artificial Intelligence), EVS (electric vehicle), and are working on a semiconductor.”
“Should we make ice cream (delivery app) or make chips (ie, semiconductor)?” Mr. Goyal allegedly asked, “Dukaandari Hi Karna Hai (Do we just want to sell things?) “
He also said that every year the largest number of STEMs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in India were graduates. “Are you proud that we are building delivery boys and girls?”
The Union Minister also questioned the increasing number of online betting apps – many of which have come under scanner of investigating agencies for alleged money laundering – and urged Indian startups to focus on “real economic productivity”.
Mr. Palicha was among those who responded to Mr. Goyal’s comments.
A grocery delivery app, co-founder of Zepto, in a long post on X, said, “It is easy to criticize consumer internet startups in India, especially when you compare them with deep technical excellence being made in America/China …” But he said that he appoints 1.5 million “real people”.
It is easy to criticize consumer internet startups in India, especially when you compare them with deep technical excellence manufactured in the US/China. Using our example, the reality is: there are about 1.5 lakh real people who are earning livelihood on Zapto today – A …
– Aadit Palica (@Aadit_Palica) April 3, 2025
In less than four years, Zepto said, “had contributed Rs 1,000+ crore per year, which was brought to FDI more than one billion dollars, or foreign direct investment, and invested hundreds of crores in organizing backynd supply chains, especially for fresh fruits and vegetables.”
Mr. Goyal flagged off high -tech startups abroad, Mr. Palicha said that companies behind such products – Alibaba, China, started as “consumer internet companies”.
“Startup ecosystem, government, and large pool owners need to actively support the construction of such a local champion … Do not pull down the hard working teams to reach there.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Grover acknowledged the importance of Piyush Goyal’s remarks, but also took a shot on politicians not to pursue the overall Indian economy to grow.
The only people in India who need ‘reality check’ are politicians. Everyone else is living in the complete reality of India.
China also first distributed food and then developed for deep technology. It is great for what he has done – perhaps the aspiration of time for politicians … pic.twitter.com/6wt8moviaz
– Ashner Grover (@Asneer_Grover) 4 April, 2025
He said, “China had distributed food first and then developed for deep technology. It is very good to aspire for what they have done – (but) Perhaps before cheating on today’s job creators for 20 years to desire 10+ percent of the economic growth rate for politicians, he said.
He said, “Thank you Minister Sir for starting this healthy debate.”
A more important perspective was introduced by East-in-Infosys CEO Mohandas Pai, who told Mr. Goyal that not to weaken the Indian startup and instead, focus on ensuring that the government supports the manufacture of focus on high technology. He also called Finance Minister Nirmala Sitarman a “hostile”.
Mike drop
Union Minister Piyush Goyal flew the Indian startup at the Startup Mahakumba. He used India vs China Startup Slide to start a fast criticism
“Are we happy to deliver girls and boys?”
“Food distribution apps are converting unemployed youth into cheap labor … https://t.co/4sapxvs6uk pic.twitter.com/tk7dxhqo4z– Chandra R. Srikanth (@chandrarrsrikant) April 3, 2025
“… There are also startups in all those areas in India, but they are small. Minister Piyush Goyal should not weaken our startups, but ask yourself what they have done to help deep technology startups in India?”
“We have a hostile Finance Minister who harassed startups on Angel tax for many years …” He continued, “Regularly targeted the Reserve Bank to harass foreign investors” also targeted the Reserve Bank … “China said, he said, he said, invested $ 845 billion (in startups) from 2014 to 2024, while India invested only $ 160 billion.”
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