Centre Asks AP To Speed Up Regulatory Reforms; 20 Of 28 Priority Reforms Show Progress

VIJAYAWADA: Union steel secretary Sandeep Pundrik and Andhra Pradesh chief secretary G. Sai Prasad have directed officials of Andhra Pradesh to accelerate simplification of regulations and reduce compliance burdens to implement the pending reforms within the stipulated deadlines.

At a review meeting held at the AP Secretariat on Friday, the two officials assessed the progress of the second phase of measures aimed at reducing regulatory burdens and easing compliance requirements.

Of the 28 priority areas identified, 20 are in various stages of implementation. The reviews involved school education, higher education, industries, commerce, and legal metrology departments.

The meeting discussed proposals to simplify norms governing private schools, including requirements relating to infrastructure, playgrounds, and laboratories. The officials reviewed a proposal to replace the essentiality certificate required for recognition of schools with a system of self-certification. They examined measures to reduce the land and endowment fund requirements for establishing private universities as part of the higher education reforms.

In industrial and commercial sectors, officials stressed the need to expedite reforms to reduce the number of no-objection certificates (NOCs) and multiple licences required for setting up and operating businesses. They favoured commencement of business operations by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) based on self-declarations.

Another key issue discussed is simplifying approval and inspection procedures for low-risk industries. Officials reviewed measures to make registrations and issuance of licences easier under the Legal Metrology department.

AP chief secretary Sai Prasad directed departments concerned to eliminate unnecessary approvals and procedural delays to improve the ease of doing business.

Additional secretary Sarita Chauhan Chand participated in the meeting.