A single window clearance for industrial investments in Tamil Nadu is finally a reality with the State government launching a portal (https://www.easybusiness.tn.gov.in) for online submission of application and assuring a time-bound clearance.

The portal, inaugurated by the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, is aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business in the State. The portal will integrate 11 departments and offer 37 services online, according to a press release.

11 key departments The departments that are integrated in the portal include town and country planning, pollution control board, industrial safety and health, state industries promotion corporation, metropolitan development corporation, metro water supply and sewerage board, electricity generation and distribution, fire and rescue services, labour, boilers and electrical inspectorate.

The portal facilitates upload of documents for clearance needed for industries from different government departments Through the portal, people can also track their application status, download approved application and pay fees, reducing the time taken to get the approvals.

Ease of doing business in Tamil Nadu has been a point of concern as it takes a long time to obtain approvals from various departments. The initiative is expected to bring in more investments, the release said.

The State was ranked 18th this year as opposed to 12 the previous year in terms of ease of doing business, according to the rankings released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion recently. In a bid to address the issue, the State issued an ordinance that mandated approvals be given in a specific time frame. It also set up a committee to supervise, address the issues and oversee the process.