It suggested functional single-window systems in states such as West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, with fixed approval timelines.
The report presents detailed state-level insights from 18 states including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha and Punjab.
It suggested a five year tax holiday for recognized startups in Bihar, releasing underutilized PSU/government land for industrial use in Goa, delegate pre-approval checks to certified third-party professionals and give final approvals to
technical experts instead of commissioners in Gujarat and develop new industrial zones through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models besides a Special Purpose Vehicle for each industrial estate in Jammu and Kashmir.
“By streamlining approvals and reducing bureaucratic delays, such systems can greatly enhance efficiency and transparency,” it said while recommending simplifying land-use and zoning procedures, rationalizing approval fees and strengthening last-mile infrastructure, particularly access to electricity, roads and water, to improve overall business competitiveness.
“While there have been notable policy reforms and simplification of processes such as for GST recently, businesses still navigate multiple layers of compliances and approvals,” said Nirmal Minda, President, ASSOCHAM.
It suggested converting most compliances to self-declaration, with others requiring self-declaration plus proof of compliance, allowing companies to start construction, operations, and hiring based on self-
certification or self-undertaking, exemption from penalty for first-time defaulters and simplified approval process for loans and guarantees by MSMEs.
“The Kerala Loading and Unloading Act should be repealed to allow for labour flexibility, mechanization, and to eliminate non-transparent cash demands,” it suggested to Kerala along with moving to a 10-year factory and trade license model.
To Maharashtra, it recommended that the government not only allow green cover on industrial land but also allow it on a separate patch of land and a “pay-per-use” model for water charges.
