In a decisive move to improve Bihar's business environment, State Industries Minister Dilip Kumar Jaiswal issued a clear directive to department officials on Tuesday. He demanded the elimination of unnecessary delays in processing investor applications, aiming to deliver a genuine one-stop clearance experience.
Strict Timelines for Investor Applications
While conducting a comprehensive review of the Industries Directorate's functioning, Minister Jaiswal stated that any holdup in an investor's application file is unacceptable. He instructed officials to establish and adhere to clear timelines for each stage of the approval process. The minister emphasized strengthening the online portal with a system that ensures all concerned departments provide their inputs within a stipulated time, making the promise of single-window clearance a reality for entrepreneurs.
Review of Key Policies and Directives
The review meeting covered all major industrial schemes and policies. Discussions focused on startup cases, the workings of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), and initiatives for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Industries Director Mukul Kumar Gupta provided detailed insights into the SIPB's operations.
Minister Jaiswal directed Gupta to prepare a complete report on all Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by the department. He reiterated that the Industries Directorate must solidify its role as the central axis for the state's industrial development. The directorate was also tasked with maintaining an updated record of SIPB meetings and a list of pending cases.
Focus on MSMEs and Sectoral Policies
The meeting confirmed that Bihar's 2016 Industrial Policy and the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Package 2025 remain actively in force. Detailed deliberations were held on the progress of several sector-specific policies, including the Textile and Leather Policy, the Ethanol Production Promotion Policy, and the Logistics Policy.
Highlighting the importance of grassroots entrepreneurship, Jaiswal stated that MSME centres would go beyond training. They will actively connect entrepreneurs with essential resources like loans, technical support, market access, branding assistance, and value chain development. Officials were ordered to compile a detailed analytical report on the MSME sector, encompassing cluster analysis, market linkages, financial flows, and training needs.
This push for efficiency signals the Bihar government's intent to attract investment and foster industrial growth by streamlining bureaucratic processes and providing robust support to businesses, especially in the vital MSME segment.
