PM Pat for Odisha on Business Ease
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Government’s business reforms have earned the appreciation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. In a tweet on Saturday, the Prime Minister made a mention of the State for swiftly pushing forward ‘Ease of Doing Business’.
Not long back, the World Bank had recognised Odisha as an ‘Aspiring Leader’, ahead of industrially progressive States.
In the last eight to nine months, the State Government has implemented a series of major reform initiatives which included a facilitation cell to ease approvals and resolve investor grievances. The cell has resolved more than 50 projects already thereby reducing timelines for various approvals.
So far, 42 services have been included under the State Right to Public Services Act. As per the new business framework, Green category industries get approvals within 15 days and other industries get the same within 30 days.
The State Government has exempted all Green category of industries from consent management. Besides, validity for consent to operate under various category of industries has also been increased to make it easy for businesses to operate without frequent renewals.
In labour reforms, it has launched a voluntary compliance scheme covering 18 different labour laws enabling entrepreneurs for self-check and compliance with minimum inspections.
The Government has set up a new website and a unique mobile application to provide information about policies, sector-specific approvals and investment opportunities. An online portal is in place to disseminate information on land use and services to the prospective investors for faster decision making.
On its part, the State Pollution Control Board is already providing the consent through an online system. Another 14 services concerning different approvals for setting up industries will be made available online very soon.
The Government has also set up a first-of-its kind centralised inspection system to ensure synchronised inspections by all departments based on risk assessment of units using a computerised framework.
The State is also working towards removing all touch-points for registration and renewal processes. New electricity connection for all industries will be available based on online application. Similarly, Odisha is developing a system for online assessment and approvals of building plans and will enact a building code for all in the entire State.