Mumbai, February 24 – Under the state government's "Ease of Doing Business" policy, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) announced on Tuesday that it had reduced the approval and renewal period for industrial consent letters by 50 per cent, according to government officials.
The time required to obtain approval for setting up industries, issue consent letters, and renew them for establishments in the red, orange, and green categories within the state has been reduced by more than 50 per cent.
This decision aims to provide relief to industrial establishments in the state.
"In line with the Central government's "Ease of Doing Business" policy and the state government's "Developed Maharashtra 2047" policy, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board has reduced the previous 30-day approval period to 15 days for granting consent to set up Green Category industries, to commence operations, and for renewing their consent. For Orange Category industries, the 45-day limit for granting consent to establish has been reduced to 24 days. Similarly, the previous 60-day period for commencing operations or renewing consent in this category has now been reduced to 24 days. For Red Category industries, the previous 60-day period for consent to establish, 90 days for consent to operate, and 120 days for renewing consent has now been reduced to just 40 days," the MPCB said in a statement.
According to the MPCB, reducing the approval time required for setting up industries, commencing operations, and renewing consent is expected to significantly contribute to the state's industrial growth.
Previously, substantial relief had also been provided to industrial establishments by including 850 industries under the White Category and an additional nine industries under the Blue Category (total 17 categories).
The MPCB made this decision following the recommendations of a study committee after its visits to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat to study their consent management systems.
"Although Maharashtra is already a leading state in industrial development, considering the number of industries, the Board has implemented this decision to further accelerate growth by ensuring that industries receive approvals for various processes in the shortest possible time," the statement said.
"With the implementation of a faceless online computerized system and significantly reduced approval timelines, it is expected that industrial investment in the state will receive a strong boost," said Member Secretary M. Devender Singh.
He added that the Board always takes proactive steps to grant necessary permissions to industries in the shortest possible time for their growth and prosperity, as the Board's objective is to act as an "Industry Friend" for businesses.