In a bid to improve the ease of doing business and attract more investments to maintain state’s pre-eminence in attracting investments, the MahaYuti government on Tuesday tabled a bill proposing empowerment of Maharashtra Industry, Trade and Investment Facilitation Cell (MAITRI) with additional powers in order to effectively function as a state single window system. ‘’The state of Maharashtra through MAITRI, a nodal agency for single window system shall be able to carve out a pole position for itself in Ease of Doing Business by offering a smooth single window clearance system to all investors and entrepreneurs desiring to set up their business in the state,’’ reads the bill.
According to the bill, which was presented by industry minister Uday Samant, establishment of a robust single window system brings in multiple benefits. Creation of an economy and entrepreneur first environment in the state not only drives sectors, apart from ensuring the state becomes a preferred destination of domestic and foreign investments. ‘’Hence, the government considers its expedient to enact a law for the purposes of creating an effective single window system for delivery of services related to the issuing of permissions, approvals, clearances and no objection certificate required for establishing and operating industries under different laws,’’ it reads.
A similar bill was passed in the legislative assembly on March 3, 2023 and transmitted to the legislative council. “As the government considered it necessary to make certain modifications in the said bill, it was withdrawn from the Maharashtra Legislative council on March 13, 2023. Accordingly necessary changes have been made,” said the statement of objects and reasons of the bill.
The new bill proposes the constitution of the empowered committee consisting of development commissioner (Industries) as a chairman to supervise the work of MAITRI, decide and dispose of applications which are not disposed of by the competent authorities within specified time limits, to resolve grievances of applicants.
It also proposes for the constitution of the supervisory committee consisting of secretary (Industries) as a chairman to examine the proposal referred by the empowered committee, to give directions on any issues regarding ease of doing business, to make policy recommendations to the concerned authorities etc.
It also proposes that inspections under the provisions of relevant laws by competent authorities, shall as far as practicable be conducted jointly, based on random selection and also propose designing and developing of a comprehensive Online Wizard Module to assist the entrepreneur or investor to set up industries in the state.
