Chhattisgarh to bring country's first 'ease of doing business' law

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh is set to become the first state in the country to enact a dedicated 'Ease of Doing Business (Regulation, Exemption and Facilitation)' law, with the state cabinet on Wednesday approving a Bill aimed at cutting regulatory hurdles and speeding up industrial approvals.The proposed legislation, cleared at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, seeks to make business approvals more time-bound and technology-driven by introducing provisions such as deemed permission, self-certification, third-party verification, risk-based inspections and the removal of duplicate licensing requirements.The govt said the Bill is intended to reduce procedural delays, improve transparency and make the state more attractive for investors while accelerating industrial growth and employment generation.

The draft legislation will be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha.In another investment-related decision, the cabinet approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Industrial Investment Promotion Bill, 2026, saying the changes were drafted after studying industrial policies of leading states to make investment procedures more transparent and industry-friendly.The cabinet also cleared a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for allottees of plots and built-up properties under the Nava Raipur Atal Nagar Development Authority (NRDA).

The scheme will provide relief on interest and penal charges, enabling eligible allottees to regularise dues, complete pending projects or surrender land where development is no longer feasible. The govt expects the move to reduce litigation and revive stalled development in Nava Raipur.The cabinet also approved amendments to the law governing private universities. Among the changes is the replacement of the existing corpus fund requirement with a reserve fund, while making compliance with university grants commission infrastructure and academic standards mandatory.

The govt said the amendments would facilitate the establishment of quality higher education institutions in the state.In a tax-related reform, the cabinet approved amendments to the Chhattisgarh Value Added Tax Act, paving the way for the abolition of the state's commercial tax tribunal. With the implementation of GST and the establishment of the GST appellate tribunal, pending VAT appeals will now be transferred to the revenue board.The cabinet also approved amendments to the GST Act to simplify compliance, speed up refunds, particularly for exporters and industries affected by inverted duty structures—and improve tax administration