J&K administration relaxes NoCs for setting up business unit

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has approved a series of measures for simplifying business establishment process. The pre-requisite ‘no-objection certificates’ (NoCs) or approvals have been relaxed for setting up of a business unit in the valley.

A spokesman said the Udyog Aadhaar memorandum as per the condition of the Government of India would be the only requirement for a business unit to be set up. “These bare minimum NoCs/approvals shall be required subsequently, for which two sets of single-window committees have been established – one for business units coming up within industrial estates and another committee for units outside the industrial estates.”

He told PTI that these committees would ensure time-bound issuance of the NoCs or approvals pertaining to power connection, water connection and building plan as per specified timelines on a case-to-case basis. The spokesman said a divisional-level committee has been approved, which would periodically monitor the working of the committees and address issues, if any, related to issuance of NoCs or approvals.

“No pre-requisite approvals shall be required as a general rule except for NoCs/approvals from departments like pollution control board (CTE/CTO), NoC from fire and emergency department, change of land use from revenue department, etc. wherever applicable.

Manoj Sinha, J&K lieutenant governor, said consistent policy actions are being taken to encourage large-scale investment, innovation, restoring J&K’s advantage in resources and skilled workforce to create a business-friendly environment and drive economic growth.

“The recent decisions taken by the government in business sector including new Industrial Development Scheme will give a fillip to the UT’s economy. These ambitious structural reforms will not only improve J&K’s ranking in the Ease of Doing Business Index but also create an unshakeable foundation for business entities, industries planning to invest in the Union Territory,” Sinha said.

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The Centre had approved a new Industrial Developmental Scheme, last month, with an outlay of Rs 28,400 crore to give a major push to the economy of the region and providing huge employment opportunities to the people. The scheme is being implemented with the vision that industry and service-led development of J&K needs to be given a fresh thrust with an emphasis on job creation, skill development and sustainable development by attracting new investment and nurturing the existing ones.