Industry investors in state will need 20 licences, not 67

In yet another boost for industrial investment in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has decided to reduce the number of licences required to 20, from the existing 67.

In yet another boost for industrial investment in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has decided to reduce the number of licences required to 20, from the existing 67.

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The time period for permissions, too, will be brought down to 30 days from the present year-long wait.

Once pending projects are given the go-ahead within the next month, the state hopes to bring in investment worth Rs2 crore. Further, power generation can be boost by about 12,000 MW a year, once three pending projects by leading industrial houses are cleared.

During the first review of the industries department, the government found that many industrial projects could have fetched sizable investment, and generate lakhs of jobs. But it was delayed because of red tape.

While speaking at the Hindustan Times summit in New Delhi, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said he wanted to adopt an industry-friendly approach to governance. “There are several proposals, submitted by leading industrial houses, which are pending because of red tape. We have decided to expedite the procedure of approvals, and also reduce the number of licences required to set up industrial units,” said industries minister Prakash Mehta.

“Gone are the days, when industrial investors would approach the government. Now, our officers will go to industrial houses, and facilitate them to set up the industries. The government will review the status of the industrial proposals once a month,” he said.

Further, the government has decided to request the Centre to allow it to acquire land required for industrial use under the Maharashtra Industrial Development Act, instead of The Right To Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

According to an official from the department, the acquisition under the MID Act was relatively easy, as the compensation and obligations are less than the act passed last year. This will help the government attract more industrial investment to the state.