Kerala seems to be on its way to improve its ratings in ease of doing business vis-a-vis top ranked States in the country. The government has taken proactive steps to improve the business environment by undertaking reforms to ensure that the State has equal footing in EoDB to match top states.

According to Paul Antony, Additional Chief Secretary, the government has identified specific areas for improvement in various aspects of doing business. The Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, the Kerala Municipalities Act, the corresponding building rules, and a host of other acts and rules relevant to granting clearances have been subjected to thorough review and revisions.

The reforms have been implemented with an aim to improve micro and macro factors contributing to the successful running of business environment in the State, he said on the sidelines of the Petrochem Investor meet here on Monday.

The State’s new industrial policy is likely to be declared in January 2018 which will have all these amendments, he added.

KSIDC has done a study on the modifications/amendments to be made in the concerned rules and regulations related to the existing clearances procedures. The final report containing the recommendations for amendments in the respective acts and rules was approved by the Cabinet and an ordinance was published thereafter, M Beena, Managing Director, KSIDC said.

“Kerala is in 20th position in ease of doing business in the country and the figure is expected to go up once these amendments are implemented fully”, she said.

As part of the reforms, an Investment Promotion and Facilitation Cell has been constituted on behalf of the Kerala State Single Window Board and it will be responsible for the smooth interaction with applicants and issuing speedy approvals. The Single Window Board will have the power to issue composite clearances that will be binding on all departments/agencies, she added.

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