A single-window clearance system with adequate teeth to check systemic delays and procedural wrangles has been envisaged to lure potential investors to the State.
As a prelude to the declaration of the new industrial policy, the government has initiated the process of revising archaic rules and procedures that impede smooth investment flow to the State.
Since the current fiscal position does not offer the government the leeway to provide funds for setting up major industrial units on its own, the thrust is on attracting substantial investments without compromising on the government policy to protect and conserve the public sector.
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According to Industries Department sources, the first step has already been made for creating a conducive milieu that will ensure the ease of doing business and a professional agency has been engaged for revising the rules and putting in place an efficient administrative mechanism that would make the system of issuing clearance more easy and hassle-free.
The State had already attempted the single-window mode during the 2006-11 period, but it could not be taken ahead beyond a point mainly due to the differences of opinion in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) over the system of issuing clearances and also due to the disputes about the nature of the project proposals that came up for approval.
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The latest system that has been envisaged would be much different from the one that was in place during the previous LDF regime and would be armed with sufficient powers for tracking files and also fix the onus on the officials or who tend to delay clearance on various premises.
More powers
The department or agency which holds the responsibility of managing the single-window mechanism would be delegated the powers to track the files, check the progress, clear impediments from time to time, take to task the officials or departments which tend to sit over proposals and also issue clearances in a time-bound manner.
The new system would coordinate the functioning of all departments and government agencies, including local governments, that play a pivotal role in issuing permits for setting up an industrial unit, and the agencies concerned would not be allowed to function in isolation. The rule revision and or reform proposals would be submitted well before the drafting of the new industrial policy and the policy would reflect such changes too, sources said.
Paradigm shift
New single-window system to woo investors
Rules and procedures that impede investment flow to be revised
Policy to protect and conserve public sector will not be compromised