New Delhi, Dec 28, (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said the government is taking consistent, practical and industry-friendly steps to strengthen the city’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ framework, with a clear focus on boosting enterprise growth and expanding employment opportunities.
She said that within the first ten months of her government, several key reforms have been rolled out for the industrial sector, aimed at reducing regulatory hurdles and improving efficiency. These include the simplification of licensing procedures and the introduction of a single-window clearance system to ensure faster, time-bound and more transparent approvals for businesses.
According to the Chief Minister, the reforms are designed to create a predictable and supportive environment for industries, encourage fresh investments and help existing enterprises scale up operations, while also contributing to sustained job creation across the national capital.
Delhi Chief Minister was addressing the centenary celebrations of the Friends Colony Industrial Area, where she extended heartfelt congratulations to the industry fraternity for their journey marked by struggle, hard work and entrepreneurship. The event was attended by union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, BJP MLAs along with several representatives of the industry.
Chief Minister described the industrial sector as the cornerstone of India’s development, stating that running an industry is not merely about establishing a business but about driving the nation’s economy forward and providing livelihoods to lakhs of families. She added that the Delhi Government is making sincere efforts to promote and sustain industry in the Capital.
To this end, she said, continuous practical and industry-friendly measures are being undertaken to further strengthen the Ease of Doing Business. Over the past ten months, several key decisions have been implemented, including simplification of licensing procedures and ensuring that industries do not face unnecessary hurdles from government departments. All approvals have been streamlined through a single-window system to make processes more efficient and transparent.
Gupta also informed that Delhi’s first Traders’ Welfare Board has been established, enabling traders and industrial stakeholders to convey their issues and suggestions directly to the Government. She noted that the approval period for Green Category industries has been reduced from 120 days to 20 days, and if approval is not granted within this period, it will be deemed a self-permission.
Additionally, collateral-free loans of up to Rs. 10 crore have been made available for micro and small enterprises. Directions have also been issued to the GST Department to adopt faceless operations and expedite the refund process. As a result, GST refunds amounting to Rs. 915 crore have been issued to traders in Delhi over the past four months.
Emphasising the dignity and social security of workers, the Chief Minister said that labour forms the backbone of the industrial sector. She expressed gratitude to PM for the implementation of new labour laws that will provide enhanced social security to workers. She also called upon the industry to fulfil its social responsibilities by contributing to cleanliness, environmental protection and green initiatives in their respective areas and across the city.
Chief Minister assured that her government is working with full dedication and commitment, round the clock, to transform the Capital into a developed Delhi. During the programme, she also visited various stalls set up by industries and obtained detailed information about the products and services on display.
Speaking on the occasion, Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that it is a matter of pride and happiness that this historic industrial area of Delhi has completed 100 successful years. At the time of its establishment, there were only 80 factories, whereas today nearly 2,000 units are operational in the area. He added that the region has consistently been at the forefront of adhering to environmental standards, whether through individual Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) or the establishment of a Common ETP, for which the business community deserves commendation.
He noted that industrial areas in Delhi had suffered from serious neglect of infrastructure over the past several decades, but this situation is now changing. In the very first year of her tenure, the Chief Minister has approved more than Rs. 1,000 crore for roads, stormwater drainage and street lighting in industrial areas. He described this as a historic and far-sighted step taken after 20-25 years, which will give a new direction to Delhi’s industrial potential.
The Industries Minister further informed that three new industrial areas are set to be developed in Delhi in the coming period, which will generate employment opportunities for lakhs of people.
