India
Kerala Cabinet Approves 'Saral Keralam' to Streamline Investment Approvals
By PTI
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's Cabinet has approved 'Saral Keralam,' an initiative designed to simplify and accelerate investment approvals within the state. Chief Minister V D Satheesan announced on Wednesday that the government is amending 19 existing laws as part of this scheme. The initiative operates on the principle of "One State, One Approval, One Document," establishing a single-window system for investment clearances.
Satheesan stated that investments ranging from ₹25 crore to ₹50 crore will be managed by a district-level body, while proposals exceeding ₹50 crore will be handled by a state-level body. A committee has been formed, and specific timelines have been established for various departments to review investment proposals. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation will coordinate this process.
Upon receiving a proposal, departments are required to complete their examination and provide a response within the stipulated timeframe. While statutory scrutiny will continue, it must be completed within the prescribed period. The approval body will then review these responses before presenting the proposal to the committee for a final decision. An appeal mechanism is also included for instances where a department objects to a proposal not meeting its requirements.
Satheesan indicated that this measure aims to resolve prolonged delays experienced by investors, noting that some investment proposals have been pending for five to seven years. He described the scheme as a "major and revolutionary step" to attract more investment to Kerala. The scheme was developed following extensive studies and consultations with all departments. A draft was circulated, and departmental suggestions were incorporated before the final proposal was approved by the Cabinet. Satheesan concluded that 'Saral Keralam' represents a significant change for Kerala's investment sector and opens a new avenue for the state's development potential.