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Telangana Strong on Land Allotment & Construction Permits in WB Rank
Highlights
One can\'t ignore the political overtones that are floating around with respect to the \'assessment of state implementation of business reforms\' report.
One can't ignore the political overtones that are floating around with respect to the 'assessment of state implementation of business reforms' report.
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Despite Telangana securing 13th rank in ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and 3rd among the Acceleration Required States such as Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Telangana has made it to ​the 3rd place on the parameter of allotment of land and construction permits among the Acceleration needs States.
As per the assessment on the parameter of allotment of land and construction permits among the Acceleration needs States, Punjab tops with 71.7 per cent, Maharashtra (70.3 per cent), Telangana (65.0 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (50.0 percent),West Bengal with (45.0 percent)
Numerous studies cite access to land as a constraint faced by business, and the first step in solving this problem is to ensure access to information on the availability of land for business. In this direction, Telangana recognised that Industrialization is the key strategy for economic growth and development, with the creation of jobs for the youth, promoting development of backward areas, maximizing growth opportunities by optimum utilization of the available resources, harnessing the talents and skills of the people and ushering prosperity in every household. Industrialization holds the potential for fulfilling all the dreams and aspirations of the people of Telangana.
Many States have already established land banks parcels of Government owned land available for industrial use, which may or may not be organised as industrial estates to provide serviced land to investors however, this information is often not publicly available.
A necessary step would be to first list the number of land banks available in the State for industrial use, along with their respective areas.
The list should be as comprehensive as possible, and should cover all the available land banks in the State. Second, this information should be made available online on an appropriate website so that it can even be an informational service provided by ​a single window.
Second, to ensure more effective investor enquiry, it would be useful to allow users to filter the data on land banks that is on the website by the type of industry that is permitted to be established on the land. This will allow entrepreneurs to more accurately target their inquiries to land banks that support their intended business.
Most States have comprehensive details of land banks available. However, in the State of Telangana, an extent of 150,000 acres of Government land has been transferred and is now vested with Telangana State Industrial Investment Corporation (TSIIC). This land is ready to be occupied for industrial purposes. This transferring of land to TSIIC will help save crucial time for industries and is an investment friendly initiative. In addition, TSIIC also has 150 ready to occupy Industrial Parks. Some of the industrial parks will also permit multi-sectoral activities and general manufacturing units.
Providing such information on industrial land availability can also be evolved into a more modern system by using GIS maps. Such systems allow for a multitude of layers to be place upon geospatial maps to better understand the quality of the land available.
From an infrastructure perspective, the GIS system can provide information and details on road infrastructure, water pipelines, sewerage systems, electricity connections and gas pipelines that are available or accessible to each plot of land.
Gujarat is the only State that scores positively on both criteria above. Their GIS data is available publicly through a software download that provides detailed layered information on infrastructure availability across the entire State. Telangana should adapt GIS data on infrastructure availability for the entire State through TRAC to enable the investors to invest in the State hugely.
Providing such information on industrial land availability can also be evolved into a more modern system by using GIS maps. Such systems allow for a multitude of layers to be place upon geospatial maps to better understand the quality of the land available.
In the domain of Land allotment, once an entrepreneur has identified a plot of land which meets the requirements of his intended venture, he requires clarity on how he can access the land itself. Different States follow different principles in terms of allocating land: some use a first-come, first-serve model, while others use an objective-weighted criteria in evaluating investment proposals.’
Each State should however define the criteria used in defining land allocation clearly through a notification or legislation, and make this information available online.
Simultaneously, providing clarity on the timelines involved in deciding on applications will also enable entrepreneurs to plan effectively in terms of making investment decisions. This information should be notified through a notification or circular, and published in the public domain so that entrepreneurs are aware.
In fact, to create an ecosystem in Telangana in which the ease of doing business in the state matches and even exceeds the best global standards is in the pipeline. The recently unveiled Telangana Industrial Policy is offering a hassle-free system, which is considered to be of the highest priority by the industrialists, and implementing a very effective industrial clearance system that will go beyond the traditional single window system. This system, called the Telangana State Industrial Project Approval and Self-certification System (TS-iPASS), has been strengthened by way of legislation. A Right to Single Window Clearance, on the lines of the Right to Information, has been bestowed for all applicants.
The Policy will impose penal action on the concerned officers who delay the applications. This system will function at three levels—one for Mega Projects, one for other Large Industries, and one for SMEs. The State Government has brought out a comprehensive legislation enshrining the above stated principles for according permissions and clearances for both Mega Projects as well as industrial applications in other categories.
Telangana score positively on both parameters.
Similarly, providing clear timelines for processing applications related to conversion of land use can help investors plan their land purchase decisions effectively. This information should be notified through a notification or circular, and published in the public domain so that entrepreneurs are aware.
Sixteen States having notified clear timelines for change in land use processing.
Providing clear timelines for processing applications related to construction permit approval can help investors plan their construction effectively. This information should be notified through a notification or circular, and published in the public domain so that entrepreneurs are aware. If construction permits are integrated into the single window system, this information can be posted on the portal itself. 28 States and UTs have defined clear timelines for construction permitting.
Allowing applicants to upload building plans as part of their online application is but the first step in automated construction permit approval. Technology has today evolved to the point where a lot of the processing and review of building plans can also be processed using software. In particular, CAD systems can be developed that automatically scan building plans and monitor compliance with the building bye-laws and building codes in force.
Such automated systems greatly increase efficiency by allowing computer verification, and simultaneously reduce the risk of human error in the review of the plans.
This requires a system that allows applicants to upload building plans -these tend to be very large files, so the system should also include adequate storage space.
Second, the municipal corporation should incorporate the filters and restrictions into the CAD software on the server end so that they are automatically reviewed for compliance against the building code.
Similarly, for many large buildings, a variety of government agencies are involved in inspecting and clearing the construction, at all stages of the construction process. Integrating the multiple inspections into a single joint inspection through an Act, notification or rule can help integrate the various inspection requirements into a single comprehensive checklist, which allows for a single clearance for compliant buildings, or for the development of a comprehensive corrective plan of action if violations are detected.
AutoCAD based online verification of building plans is currently practiced in Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Single or joint inspections are the norm in Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal, plans are on afoot in Telangana also.
By ​G.Rajendera Kumar
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