UP to open 'single window' for large investments

Although, single window system is already in place, it is not functional in its entirety

Uttar Pradesh government is in the process of tweaking its 'single window' clearance system for large sized investment proposals.

Although, the single window system is already in place, it is not functional in its entirety and in effect acts only as single window for dissemination of information to prospective investors, who have to interact with individual departments directly for getting clearances.

"We are working with all the concerned state departments to create the 'single window' system in 'real sense' and hope it would start operating within a month," UP infrastructure and industrial development principal secretary Mahesh Kumar Gupta told Business Standard here today.

This pro-industry stance is primarily based on the continuous feedback of investors over the UP Infrastructure and Industrial Investment Policy 2012.



The proposed system would entail facilitating one time payment of fee/levies, common application form etc at the single window counter, which would be fronted by UP industry interface Udyog Bandhu.

He said to being with large sized investment proposals would be routed through the new single window mechanism and later span all investments coming to the state.

"There are about 20 different departments which have to consulted and brought on board for the new single window platform to materialise," Gupta underlined.

Meanwhile, Udyog Bandhu hosted a workshop on 'Ease of Doing Business', wherein all the important state government departments and prominent industry chambers/bodies participated.

In his address, Gupta stressed the need for evolving a mechanism for continuous interaction between the state and industry, so that the government is apprised of the challenges faced by the industrialists.

Industry sought 'acche din' for industries in the form of better power and infrastructure facilities. The major irritants identified were related to the labour, pollution control board, land, taxation, grievance redressal and law and order issues.

It was felt while UP had framed progressive policies, it was miserably lacking in the implementation part.