By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 5, 2015 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised Odisha Government’s business reforms measures. In a tweet on Friday, Modi made a mention of the State, Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand for swiftly pushing forward ‘Ease of Doing Business’.

“…Strides of Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh and Odisha in Ease of Doing Business are good news”, PM tweeted

Earlier, the World Bank had identified Odisha as an ‘Aspiring Leader’, ahead of industrially progressive States.

This year, the Naveen Patnaik government has implemented a series of major reform initiatives which included a facilitation cell to ease approvals and resolve investor grievances. The cell has resolved more than 50 projects already thereby reducing timelines for various approvals.

So far, 42 services have been included under the State Right to Public Services Act. Now, Green category industries will get approvals within 15 days and other industries within 30 days.

The State Government has exempted all Green category of industries from consent management. Besides, validity for consent to operate under various categories of industries has also been increased to make it easy for businesses to operate without frequent renewals.

In its move to reform labour sector, it has launched a voluntary compliance scheme covering 18 different labour laws enabling entrepreneurs for self-check and compliance with minimum inspections.

Besides, the Government has set up a new website and a unique mobile application to provide information about policies, sector-specific approvals and investment opportunities. An online portal is in place to disseminate information on land use and services to the prospective investors for faster decision making.

In yet another move to facilitate ease of doing business, the State Pollution Control Board has began giving its consent online. Another 14 services concerning different approvals for setting up industries will be made available online very soon.

The Government has also set up a first-of-its kind centralised inspection system to ensure synchronised inspections by all departments based on risk assessment of units using a computerised framework.

The State is also working towards removing all touch-points for registration and renewal processes. New electricity connection for all industries will be available based on online application. Similarly, Odisha is developing a system for online assessment and approvals of building plans and will enact a building code for all in the entire State.