Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday directed officials to strive for number one slot in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ rankings next time in the country.
Notably, Chhattisgarh has been ranked fourth among the top five States in the country, as per the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ranking released recently by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), Government of India.
As part of the first authentic and comprehensive assessment ever undertaken in India, the State has been ranked 4th among 32 States & UTs of the country, officials stated.
Gujarat has topped with a score of 71.14 % followed by Andhra Pradesh (70.12%), Jharkhand ( 63.09 %), Chhattisgarh ( 62.45%) and Madhya Pradesh ( 62%).
In the meeting of Chhattisgarh State Investment Promotion Board (CSIPB) held here at the Mantralaya chaired by the Chief Minister, it was informed that with 62.45 percent points, Chhattisgarh confirmed its position among five top states of the country and managed to clinch the status of ‘Aspiring leader’.
Chhattisgarh received second place for labour reform, third place for trade establishment as well as for implementation of agreement and fourth place in the country for inspection of industries, officials informed. Notably, evaluation for ‘Ease of Doing Business’ (2015-16) was based on 340 points which was earlier 285 points.
Interacting with officials, the Chief Minister asked them to ensure online registration of various facilities so that Chhattisgarh could clinch first rank in ‘Ease of Doing Business’.
Singh asked the departments concerned to ensure strict compliance of rules and regulations regarding environment and safety by industrial units. Meanwhile, he also emphasized on skill development programme for youths so that they could easily be absorbed in industrial units.
Singh said that highest priority must be accorded to the safety of labourers and other workers in the industrial units.
Besides, interacting with officials of different departments on a wide set of issues, the Chief Minister Singh closely reviewed the ongoing efforts for investment promotion in Chhattisgarh.
State minister for Commerce and Industries Amar Agrawal, Public Work Department (PWD) Minister Rajesh Munat, Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Aman Kumar Singh representatives from Confederation of Indian Industry, officials from different departments of Chhattisgarh government, officials from Railways and South Eastern Coalfields limited (SECl) attended the meeting.
Notably, Commerce and Industry Secretary Subodh Singh has been appointed as Nodal Officer for implementation of ‘Ease of Doing Business. Following the recommendation of CSIPB, district collectors have also started holding meetings to take stock of ongoing investment promotion works.
In the meantime, officials apprised the Chief Minister that in the current financial year, Chhattisgarh has signed around 18 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) to the tune of around Rs53,886 crore and it is going to open employment opportunity for around 7000 people.
Of the signed MoUs, works for establishment of seven industrial projects has already started, which registered investment of around Rs64.50 crore.