Bengaluru: Karnataka is proposing a slew of changes to its industrial approvals regime, including a fully digital single window system and a ‘once only’ mechanism to spare investors from repeatedly submitting documents t…

Bengaluru: Karnataka is proposing a slew of changes to its industrial approvals regime, including a fully digital single window system and a ‘once only’ mechanism to spare investors from repeatedly submitting documents to different government departments. These changes are part of amendments the government wants to make in the Karnataka Industries (Facilitation) Act. The amendment Bill was approved by the Cabinet on Friday. Under the proposed system, investors will be able to use a “Know Your Approvals” (KYA) facility to identify in advance the approvals and compliances required for their projects. A secure KYC data repository will also enable a “Once Only” document submission system, allowing the government to reuse documents already submitted by investors.Karnataka eyes Rs 60k crore investment under new data centre policyThe Bill defines ‘Single Window System’ as a one-stop digital platform that provides applicants a single point of access to apply for, track, process and obtain approvals, clearances, licences, permissions, consents, registrations and so on. “…for all services onboarded on the Single Window System, no parallel physical or offline mode for acceptance or processing of applications shall be permitted, except in exceptional circumstances,” the Bill states. The amendment proposes to expand the validity of affidavit-based clearances to three years for micro, small & medium enterprises and five years for large industries, or until commercial operations begin, whichever is earlier.To reduce unnecessary inspections and compliance burden, the government will introduce a risk-based inspection system. The digital systems of various departments will be integrated with the existing Single Window System. A dedicated Facilitation Desk and State Nodal Agency will guide investors from the project’s inception through commencement of operations, according to the Bill. Karnataka approves 83 industrial projects worth Rs 6,253 crore: Industries Minister M B PatilAI-based cams, prisoner calling systemThe Cabinet approved Rs 20 crore for the purchase of a state-of-the-art security screening equipment by the department of prisons under ‘Operation Shuddheekarana’. Home Minister Priyank Kharge said several modern technologies, including AI-based cameras, portable signal jammers and a Prisoner Calling System, will be installed in prisons. These measures will help prevent unauthorised activities and make security surveillance more effective, the minister said. “It is necessary to introduce advanced technology in the prison department as well, in line with the changing challenges. These measures have been taken with the objective of further strengthening security and surveillance,” Priyank said. In another decision, the Cabinet approved Rs 574.79 crore for a government medical college at Puttur in Dakshina Kannada.

Source: Deccan Herald