Chandigarh: The Haryana government is planning to introduce the Right to Business Bill to facilitate more than 8.35 lakh industries operating across the state. The proposed legislation, currently in the drafting stage, is expected to provide significant relief to entrepreneurs, especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), by simplifying regulatory procedures and reducing compliance burdens.
Drafting and Approval Process
Sources in the government said that a team of experts, under the supervision of Amit Aggarwal, the industries commissioner and principal secretary, has been working on the draft legislation for the last several months. The draft of the proposed Right to Business Bill has reportedly been finalised and may be unveiled after receiving approval, along with the new industrial policy, likely to be discussed in the upcoming state cabinet meeting.
Key Features of the Bill
Officials said the proposed legislation sought to establish a business-friendly environment by introducing faster approvals, easing inspections and creating a streamlined regulatory framework for industries. As per the proposal, eligible enterprises, particularly new and expanding MSMEs, will be allowed to start operations through a self-declaration mechanism. Businesses will be able to submit a ‘Declaration of Intent' to avail benefits under the Act and receive a Certificate of In-Principle Approval (CIPA). The certificate would serve as a temporary approval valid for five years, allowing industries to operate while they obtain the mandatory clearances.
Implementation Structure
The Haryana Enterprises Promotion Centre (HEPC) will function as the state nodal agency, while the district-level clearance committees will facilitate approvals and business-related processes at the district level. This decentralized approach aims to reduce bureaucratic delays and enhance efficiency.
Political and Economic Implications
The move is being seen as part of the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government's larger strategy to attract domestic and foreign investment into Haryana while projecting the state's governance and industrial policies beyond its borders. Political observers believe the initiative could also help the BJP strengthen its outreach in neighbouring Punjab, which is scheduled to go to the polls next year. Chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is close to completing 100 political programmes in Punjab, has been aggressively highlighting Haryana's governance model and development initiatives during his visits.
A senior bureaucrat privy to the proposal stated, "This is going to be a major move towards ease of doing business. The legislation will significantly reduce bureaucratic delays and create a supportive regulatory ecosystem for industries." The officer added that the legislation would also boost employment generation by empowering the MSMEs, considered the backbone of the state's economy, while ensuring greater transparency and accountability in industrial governance.
