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Signalling the end of the licence raj era, the Kerala government has come out with a software application K-SWIFT (Kerala Single Window Interface for Fast, Transparent Clearances), ensuring all approvals for investment proposals within 30 days of application.
Launching the software at Ascend Kerala 2019 investors’ meet on Monday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the objective of K-SWIFT is to end delays and lethargy in approval of investments.
All investors will now receive clearances for their projects within 30 days. After 30 days, the proposals will be deemed cleared if the application is not processed by then. The 30-day time limit may be reduced to 15 days in future, he added.
K-SWIFT is a cutting-edge software application that simplifies procedures and speeds up clearances. Calling upon the officials for a change in their attitude towards entrepreneurs, the Chief Minister said Kerala had earned the reputation of a consumer State, but very few products are manufactured here. There is a need to change it by increasing the number of MSMEs.
Through this, the government is aiming to provide jobs to around 50,000 people this year, he said.
The Chief Minister also launched an ‘Invest Kerala Guide’ brought out by the Department of Industries and Commerce.
Kerala Industry Minister EP Jayarajan said Ascend Kerala 2019 was part of the government’s efforts to form an industry network in the State.
The government is in the process of setting up specific industrial parks in private and public sectors as per the types of industry. In rural areas, the area limit will be 25 acres. The urban parks will have 15 acres.
Around 36,000 MSME units have been established in the State in the last two-and-a-half years, generating over one lakh jobs. The Minister also launched the portal of ‘Invest Kerala.’
K Ellangovan, Principal Secretary, Industries, Commerce & Norka, said Kerala is the only State in the country that has amended all the existing rules to streamline and encourage the industry sector.
Accoring to Tom Jose, Chief Secretary, the industry sector’s motto was to convert job seekers into entrepreneurs.
FICCI National President Sandip Somany pointed out that Kerala topped national rankings in sectors such as start-ups, food processing and technology.
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