New Ease of Doing Business framework meets longstanding business demands: KCCI

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) has welcomed the passage of the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, describing it as an important step towards creating a more predictable, transparent and time-bound regulatory framework for businesses and enterprises in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chamber said the legislation incorporates several issues and recommendations it has consistently raised with the Government, particularly those relating to reducing regulatory delays, rationalising approvals, eliminating unnecessary No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and introducing greater accountability in the approval process.

KCC&I placed on record its appreciation of the Omar Abdullah-led Government for taking forward the reforms and responding positively to several concerns raised by the business community.

The Chamber identified the provisions relating to In-Principle Approval and Deemed Approval as particularly significant. Under the framework, specified timelines have been prescribed for disposal of applications, while failure to take a decision within the stipulated period can result in approval being deemed to have been granted.

According to KCC&I, these provisions address a major concern of businesses—the uncertainty caused by prolonged delays in obtaining statutory approvals. Defined timelines, coupled with deemed approval, can bring greater certainty and accountability to the regulatory process, it said.

The Chamber also welcomed measures aimed at reducing multiple and duplicative NOCs. It said the legislation identifies NOCs that are not required under the specified framework and provides that an NOC should not be sought where it is not mandated under law or applicable rules.

KCC&I further welcomed the introduction of the Permission by Exception principle, under which an enterprise may undertake an activity unless it is expressly prohibited by law, subject to applicable regulatory safeguards.

The Chamber said the provision represents a shift from a permission-heavy system towards one based on clearly defined rules and restrictions.

It also appreciated the One State Principle, which seeks to prevent duplication of information, documentation, approvals and processes already submitted to another government authority.

According to KCC&I, the combined effect of these provisions could significantly reduce the compliance burden on entrepreneurs and allow businesses to devote greater attention to productive activity rather than navigating multiple layers of government approvals.

The Chamber said the reform-oriented approach adopted by the Omar Abdullah-led Government was encouraging and added that the incorporation of several issues it had raised over the years demonstrated the value of sustained engagement between the Government and the business community.

KCC&I also welcomed greater scope for self-certification and third-party certification in specified areas, along with a risk-based approach to regulatory scrutiny. These measures, it said, could ensure that regulatory intervention remains proportionate to the actual risk associated with an activity.

However, the Chamber emphasised that the success of the reforms would ultimately depend on effective and consistent implementation across departments and agencies.

“Prescribed timelines must be strictly adhered to, deemed approvals must operate in accordance with the law, and entrepreneurs should not be subjected to requirements that have been specifically removed or rationalised under the new framework,” KCC&I said.

The Chamber urged departments to align their rules, procedures, online systems and internal processes with the new legislation so that the reforms are reflected at the operational level.

It also called for continued institutionalised consultation between the Government and stakeholders during the implementation phase to identify practical bottlenecks and undertake necessary course corrections.

KCC&I reiterated its willingness to work constructively with the Omar Abdullah-led Government to translate the legislative reforms into measurable improvements in the business environment.

The Chamber said its focus would remain on ensuring that the reforms are implemented in their true spirit and that Jammu and Kashmir emerges as a more predictable, efficient and business-friendly destination for investment and enterprise.