Centre working with states to reduce compliances, promote ease of doing biz: Piyush Goyal

• 'Self-regulation and self-certification should be the way forward'
• 'What we need to do is government and industry both go together and engage with the judiciary'

New Delhi: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that the Central government is working along with states to eliminate burdensome compliances, reduce the need for licensing and rationalise the renewal process with an aim to promoting ease of doing business in the country. Speaking at the CII National Conference on Ease of Doing Business for Aatmanirbhar Bharat on Saturday, Goyal said that the industry and the government can engage together with the judiciary on issues like fast resolution of commercial disputes and capping adjournments.

Self-regulation, self-certification should be way forward: Piyush Goyal

"Our effort, along with states, is to eliminate burdensome compliances, or reduce the need for licensing, reduce the regulatory burden, permissions, and rationalise the renewal process. But it only happens when we work together. Self-regulation and self-certification should be the way forward," Goyal said.

Commenting on fast resolution of commercial disputes, the minister said the government is working on making mediation the preferred mechanism rather than everybody rushing to courts. He also urged members of the industry body CII to engage some top lawyers and help the government understand what is feasible under the real of India's systems.

"Some policy changes may be required , infra changes may be required, some amendment to laws may be required…But there are some which are beyond my control, for example the writ jurisdiction. So when we do arbitration, we believe that we are cutting down the court processes but I am told that I cannot touch the writ jurisdiction of the court. Similarly you spoke about capping adjournments, I myself is the proponent of that, but it needs the buying by the judiciary," said Goyal. 

"So may be what we need to do is government and industry both go together and engage with the judiciary….If both of us go together with our difficulties, I can assure you, we will not find the courts or honourable judges lacking in their support…They are in fact wishing to support us," he added.

Goyal seeks feedback from industry

The minister also exhorted industry leaders to visit the Regulatory Compliance Portal and industrial land bank portal and give their feedback to the government. "We are looking at the availability of industrial land at affordable prices…Self-regulation must be the norm. I urge industries to suggest ways to move towards transparency and self-regulation," he said.

Goyal also told industry leaders that the government is now looking at changing the frequency of renewals and approvals. "In many cases I am completely removing renewals so that all you need to do is update the information suo moto," he said.

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