CM nudges officials to make Odisha more business friendly

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today asked officials to simplify the regulatory structure to make the state more business friendly.
The move comes against the backdrop of a gradual decline in industrial investment and several greenfield projects being shelved mid-way.
"Do away with old and redundant procedures so far followed and synchronise multiple inspections," Patnaik told ministers and officers while presiding over a meeting on ease of doing business.
Ministers of Industry, Energy, Steel and Mines, Labour and Employment, Housing and Urban Development, the Chief Secretary, the Development Commissioner and Secretaries from various ministries were in attendance.
The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that out of the 204 non-MoU projects entailing an investment of Rs 6.23 lakh crore, 119 are being implemented while investment proposals amounting to Rs 40,980 crore have been dropped mid-way, sources said.

Similarly, in the case of 49 projects for which MoUs have been signed involving an investment of Rs 1.54 lakh crore, there is little progress, they added.

Emphasising on the need to work in an atmosphere of trust, the Chief Minister said: "We must learn the best practices across the world and move with the times."
Patnaik directed officers from all the departments concerned to bring forward proposals in the next Cabinet meeting in case nod for any regulatory reform is awaited.
Meanwhile, the Pollution Control Board has decided to introduce provision of online approval through a common application.
In the meeting, it was decided that IPICOL (Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha) will soon come out with a notification to provide clear timelines for addressing investor grievances.