Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has declared that any further delays in granting essential clearances to investors will not be tolerated. During a high-level meeting focused on investment facilitation, he urged all government departments to streamline their processes and create a more welcoming environment for businesses.
“We need to continuously enhance Karnataka’s investor-friendly ecosystem,” the Chief Minister stated. He specifically highlighted the importance of timely issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and project approvals, directing departments to submit proposals for reducing approval timelines, including land-use conversions.
Siddaramaiah pointed out that bottlenecks, particularly within the State Pollution Control Board and the fire department, are hampering project progress. He mandated these departments to accelerate their approval procedures, indicating a willingness to amend existing rules if they are found to be causing delays. Furthermore, clear deadlines for approvals from each department are to be established, with strict consequences for officials who fail to meet them.
The Chief Minister also emphasized the need for inter-departmental coordination to ensure that investors receive necessary infrastructure such as roads, water, and electricity. The government’s primary objective, he reiterated, is to make Karnataka a seamless and efficient destination for investment.
Reflecting on the success of the recent Global Investors Meet, Siddaramaiah mentioned that Karnataka has attracted investments totaling ₹10.27 lakh crore, with 60% already in the implementation phase. Additionally, ₹1.5 lakh crore in proposals are currently undergoing the approval process.
He cautioned officials against using legal or procedural issues as excuses for inaction, urging them to find solutions proactively, much like neighboring states. State minister for IT-BT, rural development, and panchayat raj, Priyank Kharge, echoed the sentiment, stressing the importance of faster industrial approvals to match the growing skilled workforce and job creation in the state.
Kharge also drew a comparison with Tamil Nadu’s economic contribution from Special Economic Zones (SEZs), noting that Karnataka, despite having fewer SEZs, shows significant economic impact, a fact often overlooked by officials. In response, the Chief Minister directed the Chief Secretary to issue clear instructions to all departments to ensure timely actions and prevent bureaucratic red tape. He also committed to bringing all 29 services currently outside the single-window clearance system under its purview, ensuring a unified platform for all applications.
Concluding the meeting, Siddaramaiah reinforced his message: “Officials who fail to implement decisions on time will face strict action. Our goal is to make Karnataka a benchmark state for ease of doing business.”