DPIIT asks ministries to compile list of business approvals to improve NSWS

The DPIIT is working with ministries to compile a comprehensive list of approvals, aiming to streamline the National Single Window System and ease investor compliance

Government departments are in the process of compiling a list of all business approvals, renewals, registrations and compliances required by business entities to identify areas of duplication and streamline processes, according to official sources.

 

“The idea is to have symmetry of information, have transparency to improve the ease of doing business in the country and reduce the compliance burden,” a senior official said.

 

This is being done as part of the National Single Window System initiative to provide businesses a unified digital platform for seamless approvals from Central and state governments.

 

The initiative is being spearheaded by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) which has been interacting with various government stakeholders and industry representatives to enhance the user experience of the single window system.

 

Industry associations, sources said, have recommended compiling an exhaustive list of ministry-wise approvals and doing away with additional approvals which go beyond the list.

 

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had launched the National Single Window System (NSWS) for businesses in September 2021. 

 

“The system has been working very smoothly for domestic as well as foreign investors. It has made the lives of investors easier. There is scope for more approvals including from states to move to this platform,” Atul Pandey, Partner, Khaitan & Co.

 

NSWS is a digital platform to help investors identify and to apply for approvals, depending on their business requirements. Since an investment proposal typically requires a series of approvals and clearances from various states and government departments, the idea behind NSWS is to do away with the need for multiple applications across various portals, multiple office visits, resulting in time-bound approvals. 

 

The DPIIT has also been holding a series of meetings with industry associations, urging them to encourage users to use the portal.

 

Users can access over 671 Central Approvals and 6880 State Approvals on the System. Currently, the portal hosts applications for approvals from 32 Central Ministries and Departments and 29 State Governments.

 

NSWS has also on-boarded various government schemes namely Vehicle Scrapping Policy, Indian Footwear and Leather Development Policy (IFLDP), Sugar and Ethanol Policy, National Program on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules under PLI Schemes.

 

Under these schemes, NSWS has facilitated more than 400 investors in applying for DPIIT’s IFLDP applications, 25 investors have applied for Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility application. 

 

Pushing pedal on decriminalisation

 

Taking forward Jan Vishwas 2.0 exercise, DPIIT has asked various ministries to conduct a comprehensive review of all Acts to decriminalise minor, technical and procedural defaults, according to official sources.

 

In her Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said the government will introduce the Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 to decriminalise over 100 more outdated legal provisions to promote the ease of doing business in the country.

 

The announcement follows the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which decriminalised over 180 legal provisions, including copyright, trademarks, patents, and geographical indications of goods act, replacing penalties for minor offences with monetary fines.

 

The Joint Parliamentary Committee, which reviewed the Jan Vishwas Bill, has recommended extending the exercise to further Acts, ensuring the continuous modernisation of India's regulatory framework.

 

A press statement earlier said that DPIIT was working on about 100 rules and laws of various departments of government to bring Jan Vishwas 2.0 bill to achieve a greater ease of doing business environment in the country. 

Improving efficiency

• National Single Window System was launched in 2021 by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
• The platform hosts 671 central and 6,880state approvals forbusinesses
• Jan Vishwas 2.0 aims to decriminalise over 100 outdated legal provision