SRINAGAR: The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has welcomed the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, describing it as a landmark legislative initiative aimed at easing regulatory burdens on enterprises, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
In a statement, the industry body said the legislation addresses several concerns it had repeatedly raised with the government over multiple permissions, repetitive documentation, no-objection certificates, inspections and delays in decision-making.
FCIK said the government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had acknowledged a long-standing problem faced by entrepreneurs as well as the general public, where excessive formalities, procedural duplication and delays, coupled with discretionary powers at different levels, add to the cost of doing business.
“Regulation is necessary to protect public safety, environment and other legitimate interests, but it must facilitate lawful economic activity rather than impede it,” the federation said.
It said the Bill’s principles of “Permission by Exception”, “One State”, proportionality, risk-based regulation, transparency and predictability marked a shift from the conventional permission-driven system.
FCIK particularly welcomed provisions aimed at preventing enterprises from being repeatedly asked to submit information already available with another government authority. It also highlighted provisions stating that unpublished compliance requirements cannot be imposed and that, where multiple lawful regulatory options exist, authorities should adopt the one imposing the least regulatory burden while protecting public interest.
The federation said the reforms assume significance in Jammu and Kashmir, where unemployment and economic challenges cannot be addressed through government employment alone.
“A vibrant private sector, particularly MSMEs, must play a central role in creating jobs, generating incomes, developing skills and expanding economic activity,” it said, adding that facilitating enterprises should be viewed as an economic imperative rather than a concession to entrepreneurs.
FCIK also welcomed provisions relating to deemed approvals where authorities fail to take decisions within prescribed timelines, in-principle approvals, rationalisation of licences and NOCs, self and third-party certification and risk-based inspections.
It said these measures could help shift the regulatory system from excessive prior permissions and discretion towards clearly defined rules, timelines and accountability.
The proposed three-year moratorium on routine inspections and coercive regulatory measures, subject to safeguards against serious violations, was also welcomed by the federation.
“Inspections must serve genuine safety, environmental and public-interest purposes rather than become a recurring source of disruption for compliant enterprises,” FCIK said.
The industry body said the philosophy behind the legislation was consistent with its repeated submissions to the government that entrepreneurs should be able to focus their time on production, innovation, marketing, employment and expansion instead of pursuing files, permissions and certificates.
FCIK appreciated Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and his government for addressing the concerns through a comprehensive legislative framework rather than piecemeal administrative interventions.
It also thanked the Jammu and Kashmir media for consistently highlighting the difficulties faced by enterprises and MSMEs, saying sustained reporting had helped keep regulatory complexity, procedural delays and ease of doing business in public discourse.
The federation said such difficulties had implications beyond individual businesses, affecting investment, employment, government revenues and the wider economy.
FCIK hoped that the same reform-oriented approach would be reflected in the forthcoming Industrial Policy, particularly in addressing the problems of existing MSMEs, revival of viable stressed enterprises, access to affordable credit, local procurement and other structural constraints confronting industry.
The federation said the success of the legislation would ultimately depend on its implementation on the ground and urged that the rules and guidelines framed under it preserve its intent without allowing procedural complexities to dilute the proposed reforms.
