Cabinet clears ‘Saral Kerala’ to simplify, expedite investment approvals

The Keralam Cabinet meeting held here on Wednesday decided to implement ‘Saral Kerala’ (Simplified and Accelerated Regulatory Approvals and Licences), an initiative aimed at attracting new investments and businesses to the State by facilitating ease of doing business. The scheme’s primary objective is to ensure the timely issuance of necessary licences and permits for industrial ventures.

To achieve this, a ‘Single Statutory Authority’ will be established to grant all approvals through a unified channel based on the ‘One-State-One-Approval-One-Document’ (OSAD) concept. As part of the initiative, the Cabinet also decided to introduce significant amendments to 19 existing laws.

Under the new system, a district-level body will grant approvals for investments ranging from ₹25 crore to ₹50 crore, while a State-level body will handle proposals involving investments exceeding ₹50 crore. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has been entrusted with coordinating the scheme.

The initiative will not strip government departments of their existing powers. Instead, it will require each department to review proposals and communicate its decision within a specified time-frame.

Following the departmental reviews, an appraisal body will evaluate the proposals and place them before the committee for expedited final approval. An appeal mechanism will also be put in place to address objections raised by departments, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said at a media briefing after the Cabinet meeting.

The scheme is expected to provide relief to investment proposals that have remained pending for years, in some cases for five to seven years. The Cabinet approved a draft prepared in this regard after detailed consultations with all relevant departments.

By streamlining procedures and removing obstacles and delays faced by industrial entrepreneurs, the ‘Saral Kerala’ initiative will open up significant new avenues for the State’s development, the Chief Minister said.

2 exclusive NIA courts in Ernakulam

The Cabinet also decided to establish two exclusive National Investigation Agency (NIA) courts in Ernakulam. The decision was also taken after considering judicial interventions regarding the long-pending demand. The State government has already completed the necessary formalities, the Chief Minister said. The Central government will bear the entire financial cost of establishing and operating the courts.

The Cabinet also approved the creation of 18 new ‘Radiographer Grade II’ posts under the Health department. The decision is aimed at addressing the shortage of radiographers in government hospitals and alleviating the difficulties faced by patients, he said.