Here are some important steps the Modi government has taken to make it easy to do business in India:

1. Ease of doing business India ranks a poor 142nd among 189 countries on Ease of Doing Business rankings



Government target is to move to the top 50



All depts at the Centre are focusing on reducing paperwork, making rules easier for doing business



Focus is on Delhi and Mumbai, the two centres that the International Finance Corporation will assess when deciding the country’s rankings

2. Starting a business Businesses need 11 steps in Delhi and 13 steps in Mumbai to start operations. They need 27 days in Delhi and 30 in Mumbai, to set up shops



Measures so far:



Both states asked to initiate a series of measures to reduce time taken . In Mumbai, VAT & professional tax registration compressed into one Registration under Shops & Establishments Act to be done in a day and online



Govt moves amendments to Companies Act EPFO, ESIC registration made online Easier to get PAN and TAN or Tax Account Number

3. Trading across borders Seven documents needed for export, 10 for imports



Measures so far:



DGFT has now said only three documents are needed



Online singlewindow mechanism being put in place for customs clearances such as those for food safety, plant quarantine, clearance of medicines



Yet, customs authorities and those for trade promotion usually not on the same page

4. Construction permits On this count, India ranks 184th among 187 countries and the problem lies with local authorities who issue permits



Measures so far:



Delhi’s launched common application forms. MCD will get clearances from all departments, doing away with the running around involved



Online colour-coded maps for Delhi and Mumbai airports for easier process to get a no-objection certificate from the Airports Authority of India. Similar steps being taken for approvals from Archaeological Survey of India and the National Monuments Authority

5. Registering property India takes 47 days, compared to 24 in OECD. Cost estimated at 7% of property value compared to 4.2% in OECD countries. Ranked 121

6. Enforcing contracts India ranks 186th among 189 countries due to poor enforcement of contracts, including those between phone users and telecom companies



Measures so far:



Special commercial courts have been set up in Delhi and Bombay High Courts to speed up cases



Government admits it is tough moving up the ladder









7. Resolving insolvency India ranks 137th due to the cumbersome process



Measures so far:



Little progress: Issue of setting up National Company Law Tribunal pending in courts for a decade



Government has announced introduction of a Bankruptcy Code

8. Paying taxes Total tax rate estimated at 61.7% in India, compared to 41.3% for OECD countries. India placed 156th



Measures so far:



Data doesn’t factor in exemptions given by authorites



Govt’s announced reduction in corporation tax rate to 25% in the coming years



Introduction of GST will help reduce time taken, ease process



