By Rajesh B Nair

Copyright thehindu

A short-duration session of the Puducherry Assembly on Thursday is set to witness introduction of key industry-friendly legislations by bringing de-regulation in issuance of industrial permits, official-level inspections, change in land use patterns and urban administrative reforms.

The session, which may have been convened primarily to fulfil the government’s constitutional commitment of adhering to the interregnum of six months between two sessions, would feature the introduction of the long-delayed legislation to make ease of doing business possible for entrepreneurs.

Topping the list is the Puducherry Ease of Doing Business (Service Delivery) Bill, pending almost for four years after being drafted, and aimed at providing speedy, transparent, efficient and time-bound delivery of services by way of processing the application and issue of clearances for establishing an industrial or service or business undertakings.

The Bill, which covers even licence renewals, was drafted to promote the Union Territory as an industry-friendly destination by fixing stipulated periods for clearances and provision for deemed approval in case of failure to issue the required approval within the specified time limit. The Bill has provision to impose penalty on officers who failed to deliver the service without any reasonable cause to an applicant within the stipulated time. The aim was to develop the culture among officers to deliver services within a fixed period, said an official.

Another important legislation will be on implementation of Transfer of Development Rights under the land pooling practice for integrated development of urban spaces in the Union Territory. The government will also bring in certain amendments to provisions in Municipalities and Commune Panchayat Acts to de-regulate the inspection system carried out by local bodies.

“The EoDB Bill will be a landmark in terms of promoting the territory as a destination for small business ventures. The other legislations will be centred on initiating urban reforms and giving relief to entrepreneurs by introducing guidelines on mandatory inspections by local bodies,” said an official.

Opposition to raise issues

The Opposition — DMK and Congress — is sure to use the short duration session of the Assembly to put the ruling AINRC-BJP on the mat on a range of issues, including the recent reports of contamination of drinking water and power privatisation. “We will certainly raise the non-performance of the government in addressing basic problems of the public and the failure to implement poll promises. Of course, the Statehood issue will be raised,” said a DMK legislator.