Thiruvananthapuram, 16 September (H.S.): The Kerala government has formulated a new scheme to simplify and accelerate the approval process for investment proposals in the state, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced.

The initiative, named SARAL Kerala, stands for Simplified and Accelerated Regulatory Approval and Licences. As part of its implementation, the government will amend 19 existing laws governing regulatory clearances and licences.

Under the proposed system, investment projects valued between Rs 25 crore and Rs 50 crore will be considered by a district-level body. Proposals involving investments exceeding Rs 50 crore will be examined and approved by a state-level body.

The amended legislation will specify a clear timeframe within which the departments concerned must scrutinise each proposal and submit their reports. The Chief Minister said the new mechanism would not take away the powers of any department. Instead, it would require departments to complete their assessments within the prescribed period, preventing unnecessary delays.

The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation has been entrusted with coordinating the approval process and ensuring that applications move smoothly between the departments concerned.

The scheme will also include an appellate mechanism to address disputes. If a department raises objections that a proposed project does not comply with its rules or regulatory requirements, investors will have the option of seeking a review through the designated appellate system.

Satheesan said the government’s primary objective was to eliminate procedural hurdles faced by investors and create a more transparent, predictable and time-bound clearance system.

Describing SARAL Kerala as a major reform, he said it was expected to bring significant changes to the state’s investment environment. The initiative would improve ease of doing business and make Kerala a more attractive destination for domestic and international investors.

The Chief Minister announced the scheme while briefing the media about decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting. He described it as a revolutionary step towards attracting fresh investments and supporting Kerala’s economic growth.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman