Karnataka's revamped Single Window System for investors launched
Bengaluru, Feb 11 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday launched the state's revamped Single Window System aimed at improving ease of doing business in the state.
He said the new system will simplify approvals, reduce compliance burdens, and fast-track industrial investments while ensuring transparency and efficiency.
The system integrates over 150 business services across 30 state departments. It will provide real-time status updates, allowing investors to track approvals, amendments, and renewals without delays, the CM noted.
"The initiative is particularly beneficial for the manufacturing sector as it introduces an Affidavit-Based Clearance (ABC) mechanism through Karnataka Udyog Mitra. This will enable investors to begin construction and preparatory activities without waiting for multiple approvals," he added.
Noting that the revamped Single Window System is integrated with the National Single Window System, allowing investors to access central-level services seamlessly, the CM said, it also incorporates several Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) services, such as land search, selection, allotment, and building plan approvals. These services are now available through a single portal. This makes it easier for investors to navigate the approval process without having to approach multiple offices.
A GIS-based Industrial Information System has also been introduced. It will help investors who plan to use their own or revenue land check compliance with site-related regulations before proceeding with their projects.
A wizard-based discovery tool will assist investors in identifying the required State and Central approvals, NOCs, and clearances at different stages of their project lifecycle, an official release said.
Further, an Incentive Wizard & Calculator has been built into the system. This will allow investors to check their eligibility for various incentives, concessions, and rebates under different policies. It will help them make informed decisions. An AI-powered multi-lingual chatbot will provide instant responses to investor queries on policies, incentives, approvals, and compliance requirements.
The chief minister said this move is aimed at enhancing investor convenience.
The system also focuses on improving the overall investor experience. It simplifies forms, eliminates duplicate information, and integrates with over 40 systems through APIs. It also provides real-time status visibility with event-based alerts and triggers.
Siddaramaiah stated that these features will make Karnataka one of the most investor-friendly destinations in the country.
To ensure ease in incentive claims and disbursement, the system enables investors to apply for and track their claims online. This will reduce paperwork and improve transparency, the release said.
The system is available in multiple languages and is designed to be mobile-friendly. It also includes an online grievance redressal mechanism. This will enable investors to raise queries and receive quick resolutions from the investment facilitation team.
According to the CM, this will ensure that concerns are addressed in a time-bound manner.
Siddaramaiha reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing the investor experience, expediting approvals, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
"With the introduction of the revamped Single Window System, Karnataka aims to further strengthen its position as one of India's top investment destinations. The new system will foster a more efficient, transparent, and business-friendly ecosystem" he added.
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Dileep case: Advocate representing survivor alleges Judge favoured actor
Thiruvanthapuram: A month after Malayalam film Actor Dileep was acquitted in the the case pertaining to abduction and rape of a famous Malayalam actress, Advocate T B Mini, the survivor's counsel in the case has accussed the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court Judge Honey M Varghese of favouring Actor Dileep in her petition to the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, reported On Manorama.
In her petition(accessed by Onmanorama), Mini has sought contempt of court proceedings against Honey Varghese alleging that the trial court judge made derisive remarks about her, including claims that she would doze off during court proceedings and was lax in handling the actress assault case.
Mini, who described the comments as false, contemptuous and defamatory, alleged in her petition that Honey Varghese had unduly favoured Dileep, the actor and producer who was the eighth accused in the case.
In the verdict delivered in December last year, Judge Honey Varghese acquitted Dileep and three other accused while sentencing six convicts to imprisonment.
The ruling drew major uproar, while Mini had refrained from making any public remarks against the judge at the time, stating only that the verdict was disappointing, now she has levelled serious allegations against the judge as the High Court is set to begin hearing the bail pleas filed by the six convicts on February 4.
Furthermore, Mini has stated in her petition that since the very first stage of the trial, the Judge Honey Varghese passed derogatory remarks against the survivor and behaved discourteously towards the prosecution, which eventually led to the resignation of two Special Public Prosecutors. According to Mini, the undue favour shown by Honey Varghese to Dileep resulted in a serious miscarriage of justice and brought disrepute to the judicial system.
She stated in the petition that it was a regular practice of Honey Varghese to pass derogatory comments about the survivor as well as the prosecution witnesses.
Mini also alleged that on several occasions, the Special Public Prosecutor was compelled to remind the judge that such conduct was in violation of the Supreme Court’s directions.
Mini also questioned the manner in which Honey Varghese conducted the inquiry into the illegal access of the memory card containing visuals of the sexual assault.
The memory card, a vital piece of evidence kept in the custody of the Sessions Court, was unlawfully accessed and tampered with, leading to a change in its hash value.
According to the report, an examination by the State Forensic Science Laboratory found that the card had been accessed on January 9, 2018, December 13, 2018, and July 19, 2021, while it was under the safe custody of different courts.
Mini stated in the petition that the memory card was illegally accessed for nearly half an hour in July 2021 while it was in the custody of the court presided over by Honey Varghese.
After the survivor approached the High Court citing a breach of privacy, the HC directed Honey Varghese to conduct an inquiry. Mini alleged that the judge carried out only a perfunctory inquiry, in violation of the High Court’s directions.
Mini has sought legal action against Honey Varghese, stating that when a lawyer is defamed in open court through false allegations, the judge is liable to face proceedings before the High Court. She noted in the petition that although she had a very limited role in the trial as the survivor’s counsel, she regularly attended the proceedings from November 2022 onward.
