Setback For Apple, Here Are Some Public Reactions

BENGALURU: The ministry has made its stance clear: Apple will not be able to open retail stores in India without selling 30% locally sourced goods. And we think this is what the ministry wants to say (as quoted by a Redditor) – “Manufacture in India and create jobs, don't manufacture in China and try to sell in India.” When the news was posted in popular forums like Reddit and MacRumours, here are some mixed reactions from users, non users, those for and against the motion.

A Redditor commented:

Checked the forum, and man the outsiders hate us.

"Corruption" "Bribery" "Toilets" is just thrown around for not getting their way for the American dream. Seriously thoughts on these folks?

India last year exempted retailers selling state-of-the-art goods from the rule, prompting Apple to file a new application with the Indian government. A source told Reuters that Apple did not provide enough material to justify the exemption. "They did ask for a waiver but didn't provide any material on record to justify it. The decision was taken only after a thorough examination of their application," the source said. The waiver is available only for investment in "state of the art" or "cutting-edge technology", he added.

And here are some reactions to that:

“16 GB base storage on iPhones, lack of 4K support on Apple TV, and a Mac Pro that hasn't been updated since 2013. I wouldn't call that cutting-edge either to be honest.”

“It's hard to tell what cutting edge in India means. Running water and toilets? Air conditioning?”

“Well, that opens the door for Samsung and Google to open stores in the country. Sorry Apple.”

“Tim's trip to India didn't pay off then, lol.”

Apple declined to comment on the matter while other companies that have sought similar exemption include Chinese handset makers Xiaomi and LeEco. However, as ToI reports, a panel comprising representatives from departments of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) and information technology had recommended a waiver from the 30% sourcing norm on the ground that Apple's products were "cutting-edge", which allows for doing away with the domestic procurement rule.

Read Also: Microsoft Chief Nadella Meets PM Modi
India To Drive World Growth For Next 10 Yrs: Goh Chok Tong