Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reviewed the progress of the next phase of the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) programme and directed departments to expedite implementation of compliance reduction and deregulation reforms across Jammu and Kashmir.
Chairing a meeting of Administrative Secretaries, the Chief Secretary stressed the need to simplify procedures, reduce regulatory burdens and improve the business ecosystem to promote investment, entrepreneurship and economic growth in the Union Territory.
Officials informed the meeting that of the 28 identified priority reform areas under Phase-II of the programme, nine have been accepted by the Government of India as fully implemented, while 16 are under implementation. One reform is awaiting approval on the national portal and two have been returned for reconsideration.
The implemented reforms include liberalisation of regulations for shops and commercial establishments, rationalisation of norms for higher educational institutions, creation of a land bank for degraded forests, appointment of a single nodal agency for healthcare licences, strengthening of the Single Window System and adoption of the amended Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 2024.
The meeting also reviewed proposed legislative reforms, including simplification of land use regulations, removal of dual business licences, strengthening MSME self-certification, an affidavit-based clearance system under the proposed Right to Business framework and an Omnibus Bill to harmonise regulatory provisions.
Dulloo directed departments to resolve pending issues within stipulated timelines, reiterating the government's commitment to creating a transparent, predictable and investor-friendly regulatory framework to enhance Jammu and Kashmir's competitiveness as an investment destination.