Regional Workshop On “Business Reforms Action Plan-2024 & Reducing Compliance Burden”

Invest UP in collaboration with Department of Industrial Promotion and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India organized a pivotal one-day regional workshop on the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP) 2024 and Reducing Compliance Burden (RCB) at Hotel Taj, Lucknow today. Along with Uttar Pradesh, the workshop brought together state government officials of Delhi, Bihar and Jharkhand to discuss and strategize on improving the business environment and reducing compliance burden for businesses and citizens.

The technical session featured a presentation on Business Reform Action Plan 2024 and Reducing Compliance Burden by Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh Deputy Secretary DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. This was followed by thematic presentations on the National Single Window System by DPIIT. The presentation highlighted that over the past nine years, Bihar and Delhi have emerged as ‘thriving business ecosystems’, while Jharkhand falls under the “Aspiring” category. According to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Uttar Pradesh has achieved a 100% implementation of reforms recommended by DPIIT and thus it has been categorised as “Achiever State”, followed by Jharkhand at 95.17%, Bihar at 86.07%, and Delhi at 63.92%.

Regarding “Reducing Compliance Burden,” the presentation emphasized the need for a “whole-of-governance” approach, focusing on digitization, decriminalization, and simplification. Of the 42,349 total compliances reduced in the country, 2,943 are from the Central Government and 39,406 from various states.

Sharing best practices by Government of Uttar Pradesh in Business Reforms Action Plan, Secretary, Infrastructure and Industrial Development Department, government of Uttar Pradesh and CEO– Invest UP, Shri Abhishek Prakash made a detailed presentation on good practices by the Government of Uttar Pradesh in Business Reform Action Plan and Reducing Compliance Burden (RCB).

Abhishek Prakash specifically mentioned about Good Practices of the State including deployment of Mukhyamantri Udyami Mitra scheme to facilitate domestic and foreign investors in the State in districts and Industrial Development Authorities. He also informed that through Nivesh Mitra -Single Window Portal, State is providing 490+ services to investor to apply for various NoCs and approvals required to set up Industries in the State.

He further said that Uttar Pradesh is recognized as an “Achiever State” under the Business Reform Action Plan 2020 and in year 2022 Uttar Pradesh has 100% performance in reforms implementation which is a great achievement in itself.

Abhishek Prakash said that Uttar Pradesh has improved its Ease of Doing Business rankings through unprecedented reforms, including reduction of over 4,600 business and citizen-centric compliances and simplification of regulatory processes in which 2512 compliances of 52 departments were business centric, 1586 compliances of 40 departments were citizen centric and 577 compliances of 4 departments were decriminalized.

Key measures include online single-window clearance system – Nivesh Mitra, other digital platforms like Nivesh Sarathi and Online Incentive Management System as well as removing licence renewal requirements under various laws and rules. “The vision is to transform UP into a one trillion-dollar economy by 2027 through comprehensive reforms”, he said.

Earlier in his opening statement Anil Kumar Sagar Principal Secretary Infrastructure and Industrial Development Department welcomed the delegates to the workshop and elaborated on the critical role of ease of doing business in driving economic growth. “The ease of doing business fosters entrepreneurship, attracts investments, creates jobs, increases government revenue, reduces corruption, promotes sustainable development, and boosts competitiveness. States can achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth by focusing on improving the business environment”, he added.

Vivek Ranjan Maitrey, Director Department of Industries, Govt. of Bihar highlighted state’s progress in ease of doing business showcasing key achievements of the Bihar Government in BRAP exercise.

Sanjay Kumar Sahu, General Manager, State Single Window, Department of Industries, Government of Jharkhand made a presentation during the Regional Workshop on BRAP 2024 & RCB with States & Departments. He also shared his valuable insights on the state’s journey reiterating the initiatives taken to enhance Ease of Doing Business in the state of Jharkhand.

State-wise presentations showcased good practices in business reforms and reducing compliance burden. Vivek Ranjan Maitrey, Director (Technological Development) Department of Industries Government of Bihar shared state’s successful initiatives, followed by thematic presentations on labour regulation enablers, legal metrology, and healthcare by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India.

State presentation on Good Practices by Govt. of Jharkhand in Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) & Reducing Compliance Burden (RCB) was made by Shri Anwarul Haque Manager Investment promotion (Single Window System), Govt. of Jharkhand was made. Further to this, Presentations on Thematic III included paying taxes, state excise, business entry, and environmental enablers by DPIIT.

Highlighting the efforts of the Government of Delhi, Ranjeet Singh, Special Commissioner II Industries, Delhi showcased states business reform action plans and reducing compliance burden. The final thematic 4 presentation covered utility permits, construction permits, fire NOCs, and trade licenses (ULBs, Town and Country Planning, Fire Department) by DPIIT.

Earlier, the inaugural session commenced with opening remarks from the Department for Promotion of Industries and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The session set the stage for a day of insightful discussions and collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business across states.

The event closed with a vote of thanks from Peeyush Verma, MD of PICUP, Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Prominent among those who participated in the workshop included- Mohammad Faizan, Dharmendra Kumar, Ankur Vatsa, Ranjoy Sen from DPIIT, Sajo from Invest India, Akhilesh Saurikhia, Ranjeet Singh from government of Delhi, Vivek Ranjan Maitrey Director Technical Department Govt. of Bihar, Anwarul Haque (Manager Investment Promotion) and Sanjay Kumar Sahu (General Manager state single window) from Government of Jharkhand.

The workshop was a significant step towards fostering a business-friendly environment and reducing compliance burdens, aligning with Uttar Pradesh’s vision of economic growth and development.