By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 9, 2019: In a bid to ensure ease of doing business, the Odisha Government has taken a major step by doing away with the annual license renewal system for shops and commercial establishments.

This move will certainly encourage entrepreneurs who have had to renew licenses every year, a release of the Labour & ESI Department said. Earlier a provision in the Orissa Shops & Commercial Establishments Rule, 1958 made it binding for all the registered shops and commercial establishments to renew their license every year by depositing prescribed fees.

In view of the difficulties faced by the entrepreneurs, Government of Odisha removed the renewal provision from the Orissa Shops & Commercial Establishments Rules, 1958 in compliance to the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP), 2019 vis-à-vis commitment of State Government for “Ease of Doing Business”. Accordingly, a notification has been published in the Odisha Gazette on 31.07.2019, the release said.

This will create a business-friendly and conducive atmosphere in the state. The entrepreneurs will prefer Odisha as a destination for establishing shops and commercial establishments. Besides, it will also boost the socio-economic condition of the state, the release added.