Single window clearance in DESH

A draft law has been introduced to update the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) into Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs (DESH). The draft has lived up to the industry’s demand to permit partial denotification to free up the areas which are not in demand. For granting time-bound approvals for the establishment and operation of these hubs, a proposal has been made to set up an integrated single-window clearance mechanism which will also include the single application forms and returns.

A process has been started by the Commerce and Industry Ministry to denotify the empty spaces above 100 million sq ft built-up area, worth ₹30,000 crore in the 250-plus SEZs in India. The areas that are not in demand will be used for the industrial or any other purposes. DESH bill would provide for the establishment and maintenance of an online portal within six months from the date of commencement of the Act. This is done with the intention to boost the ease of doing business in India.