Kerala government to overhaul laws for faster industrial clearances

During a Question Hour session, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty outlined the Kerala government's intent to modify existing legislation to create a unified "One State, One Approval, One Document" framework. The scheme, approved in principle by the cabinet, seeks to streamline clearances across multiple departments by imposing fixed timelines without eliminating departmental review. Amendments will target several laws, rules, and land-use provisions, alongside an enhanced incentive structure for investors.

Investment thresholds are set at ₹25 crore for district-level projects, while proposals exceeding ₹50 crore will need approval from the Chief Secretary. The administration emphasized that environmental procedures will continue unchanged and highlighted a new data-driven investment cell, which through KSIDC and the Department of IT, AI and Future Technologies, has secured investment proposals totaling ₹73,401 crore. Ongoing project considerations include logistics hubs, solar power, battery storage and bauxite mining in Kasaragod.