Andhra Pradesh: Naidu calls for single-digit approvals to boost industrial reforms

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called for reducing industrial permissions and licences to a single digit while ensuring safety standards. Reviewing deregulation plans with officials, he emphasised faster governance, fewer rules and AI-driven reforms to boost ease of business.

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday called for restricting the number of permissions and licences required to set up industries to a single digit, without compromising on public safety.

The Chief Minister made the remarks during a meeting with Steel Secretary Sandeep Poundrik and other officials to deliberate on the features of the second phase of deregulation proposed by the Central government.

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The discussions focused on easing approvals and eliminating redundant clearances. “Permissions and licences should be restricted to a single digit, with no compromise on public safety, the environment, and other critical aspects,” Naidu said in a press release.

He also stressed the need to prioritise third-party auditing without scope for harassment and called for easing forest regulations as far as possible.

Naidu further suggested replacing the National Building Code with state-specific laws for fire safety and urged the removal of duplicate licensing requirements.

He proposed extending one-time registration to lifetime validity and called for implementing the second phase of deregulation by the end of May through ordinances.

To enhance governance, the Chief Minister said the state is prioritising the “speed of governance” and the “speed of doing business,” rather than focusing solely on ease of doing business.

Senior state officials also urged a reduction in the number of rules and regulations from around 800 to 100.

Poundrik informed Naidu that work on the third phase of deregulation will begin in June, with a focus on leveraging technology and artificial intelligence tools.