Single window system to be set up soon for industrial clearances and approvals

Circular No. ES/278/2020-21                                           29th July, 2020   

To: Members of the Council

Sub.:  Single window system to be set up soon for industrial clearances and approvals

Dear Member,

We would like to inform you that the Government is planning to set up a single window system for clearances and approvals of industry in the country vide Press Release issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry on 27th July, 2020.

Commerce and Industry Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal said that this would be a genuine single window and all the concerned State Governments and Central Ministries are being taken on board for the system. He said that the Government is working on creating a land bank, for which six States have already given their consent. He also said that the potential investors would then be able to locate and identify the land banks from their distant offices and finalise the location of industries, without frequently visiting the offices of land owning agencies. 

Moreover, on the issue of further easing and speeding up the process of approvals for industry and investments, the Minister also referred to the recent decisions of the Cabinet to set up an Empowered Group of Secretaries led by the Cabinet Secretary to take decisions on various industries’ schemes and projects. He also said that a nodal officer has been appointed in every Central Department and Project Development Cells are being set up which will help in the development of investible projects in coordination between the Central Government and State Governments and thereby grow the pipeline of investible projects in India and in turn increase FDI inflows.

The Minister said that the Government had initially identified 12 industrial sectors to focus upon, and the same has been expanded to 20.  This will help in scaling up investment and leveraging the competitive edge of the country. These sectors include furniture–standard as well as special furniture, air-conditioners, leather, footwear, agro-chemicals, Ready to eat food, Steel, Aluminium, Copper, Textiles, Electric Vehicles, Auto-components, TV Set-Top Boxes, CCTVs, Sports goods, ethanol manufacture and bio-fuels, and Toys.  

The government has emphasised that Aatmanirbhar Bharat does not mean India is closing the doors for the world but widening its doors for opportunities and Investment with a focus on the quality of Indian products.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said that potential investors will be given full support in terms of policies, processes, regulations and everything will be transparent, open, and equitable.

The Minister said that a conducive environment will be created for foreign investment in the health and education sectors also. Shri Goyal said the Baba Kalyani Report on Special Economic Zone is under serious consideration of the Ministry. 

Shri Piyush Goyal also said that the country is now focusing on lives along with the livelihoods as we are into the unlock phase. He said that we are now looking forward to growth in the 3rd and 4th quarters. The world has also recognized initiatives of the Modi Government in doing exceedingly well during this crisis time.  India was able to create health infrastructure during the lockdown, as could be seen in self-sufficiency in the indigenous production of a large number of PPEs and Ventilators, and such a large number of Covid tests being undertaken on daily basis.

Shri Goyal said that the risk-reward matrix is one of the most favourable in India, as the country is a great destination, has a much upwardly mobile population, with an aspiration for a better lifestyle.  He assured all the support for facilitating the investment in India. He invited foreign investors to take part in the country’s growth story.