Industry reforms to improve ease of doing business: CM

The Delhi Government on Sunday said it has rolled out a series of industry-friendly reforms over the past ten months to improve the Ease of Doing Business. These reforms included simplified licensing, a single-window clearance system and faster approvals for industries. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the measures are aimed at accelerating enterprise growth and creating jobs in the national capital.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Friends Colony Industrial Area, the Chief Minister said her government has focused on removing procedural hurdles that slow down businesses. “Industries should not waste time running from office to office. Our effort is to make approvals faster, transparent and predictable,” she said.

The event was attended by Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, MLAs Anil Goyal and Sanjay Goyal, and representatives of the industrial community. The Chief Minister described the industrial sector as the backbone of economic growth and employment. She said running an industry was not just about profit but about supporting thousands of families and strengthening the economy. She added that the government is committed to creating a supportive environment for traders, manufacturers and entrepreneurs in Delhi.

One of the key steps taken by the Government is the introduction of a single-window system for all industrial approvals. Officials said this has reduced delays and cut down on multiple clearances from different departments. Licensing procedures have also been simplified to ensure that industries do not face unnecessary administrative obstacles.

The Chief Minister said Delhi has also set up its first Traders’ Welfare Board. This body allows traders and industrial associations to directly raise issues and suggestions with the government. “This platform ensures regular dialogue between the government and trade bodies,” she said. Another major reform highlighted was the sharp reduction in approval time for green category industries. The clearance period has been brought down from 120 days to 20 days. If no decision is taken within this period, the approval will be treated as deemed permission.

To support small businesses, the government has introduced collateral-free loans of up to `10 crore for micro and small enterprises. The Chief Minister said access to easy credit is critical for expanding businesses and generating employment.

Tax administration has also been eased. The GST Department has been directed to adopt faceless operations and speed up refunds. As a result, GST refunds worth Rs 915 crore have been issued to traders in Delhi in the last four months, officials said.

The Chief Minister also said labour is the foundation of the industrial sector. She said the new labour laws would provide better social security to workers. She also urged industries to contribute to cleanliness, environmental protection and green initiatives in their areas.

Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the completion of 100 years of the Friends Colony Industrial Area was a moment of pride for Delhi’s industrial community. He said the area began with just 80 factories and now has nearly 2,000 operational units.

Sirsa said industrial infrastructure in Delhi had suffered neglect for decades, but this was now changing. He said the government has approved more than Rs 1,000 crore in its first year for roads, stormwater drains and street lighting in industrial areas. “This is a historic step after 20 to 25 years and will give a new direction to Delhi’s industry,” he said.

He also said three new industrial areas will be developed in Delhi in the coming period. These projects are expected to generate employment for lakhs of people.