Kerala to bring in law to make state investment-friendly

With an aim to make Kerala more investment friendly and promote new business ventures,the state government today decided to bring in a new legislation, the 'Kerala Investment Promotion And Facilitation Act.'
A decision in this regard was taken at a cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here today.
The cabinet also decided to bring uniformity in the rules and regulations to start new business ventures in the state.
As part of the new policy, steps would be taken to amend a number of rules, including the Kerala Panchayat Act, Kerala Municipality Act, building rules, Kerala Lift and Escalators Act, Value-Added Tax Act, Water Resource Regulation Act and Kerala Factories Rules, an official statement said.

To strengthen the single-window clearance system, an 'Investment Promotion And Facilitation Centre' would be set up with officials of concerned departments as members, it said.
A panel, with respective District Collectors as chairmen, would also be formed to implement it at the district level.

The government is eying to step up Kerala's position in the World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business Index' by tapping the potential of Information and Technology, it said.
Guidelines would be formed to find solutions to the complaints related to the industries, the statement said.
Under the new circumstances, prior permission would not be mandatory for launching new business ventures, falling under 'green' and 'white' category, it said.

The Cabinet also decided to bring ordinance to make study of Malayalam language compulsory up to higher secondary level in all state schools, including government, aided, un-aided, private ones and those following CBSE and ICSE syllabuses.
The period of the Solar Commission, headed by Justice G Sivarajan, which is probing the controversial solar scam, was extended for three months from April 28, it said.
The cabinet also decided to change the share structure of Kannur International Airport.
A state-wide programme would be organised from May 20 to June 5 to mark the 60th anniversary of the first ministry in Kerala, the statement added.