The Haryana government is developing a new generation of governance reforms, including a proposed 'right to business' framework and a centralized digital repository of laws and government notifications, aimed at reducing compliance burdens and improving the ease of doing business in the state.
High-Level Review Meeting
The reforms were reviewed during a high-level meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretariat Special Secretary K K Pathak and Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Thursday. Rastogi emphasized that the state is transitioning towards a more transparent, technology-driven, and citizen-centric governance model by eliminating unnecessary regulatory hurdles for entrepreneurs, investors, and the public.
Key Reforms Already Implemented
Officials informed the meeting that significant reforms have already been introduced in land-use permissions, industrial approvals, environmental clearances, and self-certification systems. Notably, the documentation required for obtaining change of land use (CLU) permission has been reduced from 19 documents to just three. Additionally, auto-CLU has been introduced in industrial zones.
Industries and Commerce Department Commissioner and Secretary Amit Kumar Agrawal stated that nearly 70% of Haryana's geographical area no longer requires CLU permissions, providing greater flexibility to landowners and investors.
Single-Window Platform Strengthened
The Haryana Enterprise Promotion Centre (HEPC) is being strengthened as a single-window platform for investors seeking approvals from multiple departments. Reforms related to floor area ratio, ground coverage, and setback norms have been liberalized to enable better utilization of industrial land. Self-certification and third-party certification mechanisms are also being expanded for building approvals, pollution control, and fire safety clearances.
Pollution Control Board Reforms
The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has reduced approval timelines for consent to establish and consent to operate from 30 working days to 21 days. It has also introduced auto-renewal facilities for eligible industries.
Future Directions
The meeting directed all departments to expedite the implementation of pending reforms under the compliance reduction and deregulation exercise, which aims to improve the state's business environment and governance efficiency.
