- Task Force Meet in Srinagar: Arun Gupta Urges Real-Time Monitoring of Reforms, Slams Multiplicity of NOCs
Jammu, 19-07-2025: A meeting of the Task Force Constituted by Govt. of India for De-Regulation and reduction in compliance burden and Ease of Doing Business reforms was held at Srinagar. The meeting was Chaired by Sh. K.K.Pathak, Special Secretary in Cabinet Secretariat, Govt. of India. Sh. Arun Gupta forwarded some written suggestions that a mechanism be put in place for monitoring / measuring the real impact of Ease of Doing Business and De-regulation and reducing the business compliance. He also said that a positive mind set is must for its success by implementing authorities and for any delay accountability and responsibility must be fixed then only we can get true implementation and results. He also said that the running manufacturing units who want to change the nature of business is required to apply a fresh to all the departments for changing the land use (CLU) and when he is doing a commercial business there shall be no need to get the CLU changed for any other business.
Sh. Arun Gupta also pointed out that those who want to install a new Industrial units have to face lot of difficulties while taking the NOC’s from various departments. Since the Industrial land is developed by the Industries department, there should not be any requirement of obtaining NOC’s from other departments or getting CLU changed. Even the green category units are also asked to get NOC from different departments which is a difficult task and against the concept of Ease of doing Business. Even when the existing industries change the constitution approved by the court of law takes months /years in industries departments for approval because of too much compliances and regulations resulting in unease of doing business. The same conditions are being is imposed for obtaining additional lines of activity for the existing industry.
He further suggested that De-Regulation and reduction in compliance burden can only be reduced if each and every department concerning to particular permission must confine to their own mandate and parameters. The problem arises and the compliance burden increases when a particular department imposes conditions of obtaining NOC’s from other departments. There should be no need to obtain any NOC’s from other departments except approval of maps by JMC in case of land being developed / approved by Housing and Urban Development Department (JDA etc)
He further quoted an instance that Gandhi Nagar Housing Colony was developed by J&K Housing Board way back in 1955 and after 70 years plots are being acquired by 2-3 persons whether their next generations or by way of part sale. When they go to JMC for approval of plans for constructing own house and the plans are within the bylaws of JMC, the person is not granted approval for want of NOC from the Housing department. Further when the government auctions /allots any commercial sites alongwith approved plans for that particular sites, should not change the approved plans / conditions at the time of approval.
Sh. Arun Gupta further pointed out that the Fire department is issuing NOC valid for one year only and it takes almost six months to apply for renewal and issuing the NOC. He suggested to encourage Ease of doing Business this NOC should be made valid for five years and the NOC of Pollution Control Department should be made valid for 10 years. Further we request that whenever any sort of NOC is required it should be for a longer period unless and until it is withdrawn and the industrialists who want to develop / establish industry in rural area should be allowed to establish industry even in 25 sqft. Breadth of the road where as per industrial laws 40 sqft. Breadth is required.