Naveen asks officials to ease regulatory processes

Aiming to position Odisha as one of the easiest places to do business, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked his officials to simplify regulatory mechanisms.

Chairing a meet on 'Ease of Doing Business', Patnaik stressed on abjuring old and redundant procedures and synchronising multiple inspections.

"We must learn the best practices across the world and move with the times," he said, while underscoring the need to work in an atmosphere of trust. He suggested to the officers to leverage the benefits of technology, and provide clearances in a transparent, hassle-free and time bound manner.

It may be noted that the industries department is working with other concerned departments to bring about regulatory reforms and simplify procedures. The chief minister directed the officers of all the concerned departments to bring proposals in the next cabinet meeting, should any regulatory reform need cabinet approval.

Presently, the departments of water resources, home, labour & ESI (employees state insurance) and the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) are equipped with electronic mechanisms for clearances, payments and approvals.

At the meeting, it was decided that online payment of entertainment tax and returns will be implemented by June 30. The commercial tax office under finance department will issue approval certificates online in the form of digitally signed documents by that period.

The SPCB will introduce provision of online returns for various pollution related acts through a common application.

The state's investment promotion agency, Industrial Promotion & Investment Corporation of Odisha Ltd (Ipicol), will soon come out with a notification to provide clear timelines for addressing investor grievances. A central inspection agency will be set up soon which will be responsible for various inspections.

Since data at the sub-registrar's office and land record offices have been digitised, the municipality land records will be digitized and will be integrated into the data of the sub-registrar's office and land record offices.