First mover: Gujarat to set up separate Service Commissionerate; Minister says first such move in country

New Delhi: The Gujarat Government on Wednesday said a separate commissionerate will be established in the state to promote growth of the service sector, and described it as the first such initiative in the country.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

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Talking about the move, Gujarat minister and government spokesperson Jitu Vaghani said the new commissionerate would function on the lines of the Industries Commissionerate, which facilitates industrial development in Gujarat.

A separate post of Service Commissioner will also be created, he said.

"Just as the Industries Commissionerate serves the industrial sector in Gujarat, a separate Service Commissionerate will now be established to drive the growth and development of the service sector," he said.

According to the government, Gujarat has taken a step with a special focus on fast-growing sectors, such as Information Technology (IT), tourism, logistics and other service industries.

The minister said the initiative was aimed at ensuring balanced and diversified economic growth as Gujarat seeks to strengthen its service economy alongside its established manufacturing base.

He said the proposal for a dedicated commissionerate emerged from recommendations made under the GRIT initiative, which suggested creation of a separate institutional framework for the comprehensive development of the service sector.

Gujarat Rajya Institution for Transformation (GRIT) is a dedicated state-level think tank established by the state government to steer developmental strategies and align state priorities with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The commissionerate will serve as a strong institutional mechanism to support and promote various service industries, while advancing the broader economic priorities of both the state and the nation, Vaghani said.

The government also announced a provision of Rs 100 crore for a 'Service Sector Growth Fund' under the new commissionerate for the financial year 2026-27.

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"The fund is intended to provide easier access to growth capital for MSMEs and startups operating in sectors such as IT, tourism and logistics," the minister said.

Vaghani said the move would help generate employment opportunities for youth, encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, and attract investments in the service sector.

He expressed confidence that Gujarat, after establishing itself as a manufacturing hub, would now emerge as a leading centre for the service sector in the country.

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