NEWS – Karnataka aims to enhance its investment appeal by guaranteeing business proposals receive necessary clearances within 100 days.  This initiative responds to competitive pressures from neighboring states.

HIGHLIGHTS

New Single-Window System

• The new system has been developed by Microsoft.
• The system will be unveiled at the Invest Karnataka summit, scheduled from February 12 to 14, 2025.

Current Approval Landscape

• Approval Timeline:
  • Current average approval time in Karnataka: 300 days.
  • Average approval time in neighboring states: 60-70 days.
• Rationale: Prolonged delays in approvals hinder Karnataka’s competitiveness in attracting investments.

Features of the New System

• Integration of Services:
  • Approval process involves 33 departments, including fire, law, and forestry.
  • The new software will consolidate 147 types of services onto a single platform.
• Expected Outcomes:
  • Significant reduction in approval timelines.
  • Enhanced tracking for investors, allowing real-time updates on approval statuses.

Government Initiative

• Familiarization Training: All government officials, including ministers and department heads, will be trained on the new software.
• Implementation Goal: Departments will be encouraged to expedite their processes using the new system.

Additional Tools for Investors

• Website Launch: A new website will be created to showcase Karnataka’s investment opportunities.
• AI-Powered Platform:
  • UMA: An interactive platform providing voice-based information in Kannada, English, and other major global languages.