New Delhi (NVI): The Centre is committed to introducing a single-window clearance mechanism for investors by mid-April next year, as part of the ease of doing business in the country, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said.
“The DPIIT is making a genuine effort to provide single-window clearance on approvals amongst various ministries at the centre, compliance of various laws in India and also at the state and local levels,” Goyal said while sharing his perspective on the theme’ Future of manufacturing in India – becoming a competitive global hub’.
“We are trying to integrate this, and I do hope that by March or April in the coming year, you will see the first cut of a genuine single window that will ease your compliance burden and help you focus more on your business rather than government compliances,” Goyal said while addressing virtually ASSOCHAM Foundation Week 2020: “India’s resilience: Aatmanirbhar roadmap towards a US$5 trillion economy”, he said.
“Historically we have seen single windows, which when you open, further open ten doors behind them. I am putting in best of my efforts to truly make a genuine single window,” he said.
Goyal also talked about the Steering Committee on Advancement of Localisation and Exports and Employment (SCALE) which is being collectively spearheaded by all industry associations and trade bodies including ASSOCHAM that are working to identify sectors where India has the competitive advantage to become a global manufacturing leader.
“The 24 sectors being worked upon will contribute Rs 20 lakh crore annually additional contribution to manufacturing, and it will grow as it gains dynamism and momentum. At least 30 per cent of this amount, i.e. Rs 6 lakh crore will go straight into the pockets of people of India in terms of salaries, wages, employee costs, indirect costs on our services,” he said.
“As part of other benefits, we are also looking at three crore plus young boys and girls getting jobs, employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” he said.
Goyal also said that Railways Ministry will soon finalise the policy for greater private sector engagement and ownership of entire railway lines.
He also said that the Government has liberalised the policy on freight in a very big way. “We have taken a number of steps due to which from August onwards we are continually growing in railway freight over last year. Currently, the railway freight in the COVID-19 year, is only four per cent down on year on year basis until yesterday. We hope that by February we will overtake last year’s performance on railway freight.”
Talking about ASSOCHAM senior vice-president, Vineet Agarwal’s recommendation to the Ministry regarding the shortage of containers affecting exports and highlighted the location where containers are lying and unless the railways moves it quickly and free of cost, it would be difficult to meet the needs of export businesses.
“I do hope by today evening as I have instructed my office to take a call by today evening as to which are the routes where containers are lying and if they can be moved free of charge for next 15 days, so that our dead asset can be put to active use and help us to get back to our earlier export levels,” said Goyal.
He also urged the industry to show the same sort of commitment and help the Government in realising the goal for a v-shaped recovery and help get the mojo back into manufacturing and economy back to pre-covid levels and grow rapidly thereafter.
“This is a Government that is yearning for your ideas and suggestions through sectoral, regional engagements. I assure you, our intention is pure, our effort will not be lacking,” he said.
The Minister also stated that while we have been hearing about the need for India to become a global manufacturing hub for at least last 20 years and about increasing the sector’s contribution to 25 per cent of India’s GDP, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has actually brought out with greater clarity, an attempt in partnership with industry to work out how we can achieve that. “I must acknowledge the huge contribution that ASSOCHAM is doing in making this a reality.”
Terming 101 years of ASSOCHAM as a remarkable journey, he said “ASSOCHAM is a fountainhead of knowledge, you have really the capability to help the industry upscale, align the industry with international benchmarks, develop formidable competitive edge in Indian industry and compete globally. I would urge ASSOCHAM to play a mentorship role with guidance of its previous and current leadership.”
“You have contributed immensely in playing that catalytic role in shaping up trade, commerce and industrial environment in the country over 100 years of your existence. It is the spirit of partnership which is there within your organisation, which also shows while dealing with the Government and your sister associations,” he added.
-ARK
