Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday directed officials to accord top priority to simplify regulatory mechanisms to make Odisha one of the easiest places for doing business. Patnaik was chairing a meeting on ‘Ease of doing business’ at the Secretariat here. Emphasising on need to work in an atmosphere of trust, Patniak said, ‘We must learn the best practices across the world and move with times.’
He suggested officers to leverage the benefits of technology, and provide clearances in a transparent, hassle-free and time bound manner instead of old and redundant procedures. Maintaining that the Industries Department is working with other concerned department to bring about regulatory reforms and simplified procedures, Patnaik directed all concerned departments to bring proposals in the next Cabinet, in case of any regulatory reform needs Cabinet approval.
It was revealed in the meeting that the Water Resources, Home and labour and ESI Departments and State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) have made significant improvements in developing e-biz, which have electronic mechanisms for clearances, payments, approvals etc. The meeting decided online payment of and return for entertainment tax would be implemented by June 30 while Commercial Tax department would issue approval certificates online in the form of digitally signed documents by June 30. Conducting of inspection as part of obtaining electric connection would be done away with June 30. The SPCB would introduce provision of online returns for various pollution related acts through a common application. The IPICOl would soon make notification to provide clear timelines for addressing investor grievances.
A Central Inspection Agency would be set up soon which will be responsible for various inspections. It was revealed in the meeting that data at Sub-Registrar’s office and land Record Offices have been digitised. The Municipality land records would be digitised and will be integrated into the data of the Sub-Registrar’s office and land Record Offices. Revenue Minister Bijayshree Routray, Urban Development Minister Puspendra Singh Deo, labour and ESI Minister Prafulla Mallick and Chief Secretary GC Pati among many senior Government officials were present.