Lok Sabha Question No. 2750 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Ease of Doing Business Framework
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Shri Shashank Mani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2750.

TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2025.

## EASE OF DOING BUSINESS FRAMEWORK

## 2750.  SHRI SHASHANK MANI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether the Government proposes to develop a district-level Ease of Doing Business  framework  to  assess  local  business  conditions,  entrepreneurship requirements and administrative responsiveness, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if  so,  the  parameters  being  considered  for  evaluating  district  performance, including single-window systems, clearances, investor facilitation and MSME onboarding;
- (c) whether  any  pilot  studies  have  been  undertaken  to  map  district-specific business bottlenecks and enablers;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to strengthen district entrepreneurship cells in  coordination  with  State  authorities  to  ensure  faster  service  delivery  and support for new enterprises; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री णिणिन प्रसाद ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

- (a): Since  2015,  the  Government  of  India  has  been  implementing  the  Business Reforms  Action  Plan  (BRAP)  to  promote  transparency,  simplify  regulatory procedures,  and enhance  service  delivery  across  all  the  States  and  UTs. Recognizing that businesses often interact with district-level institutions, the need to extend EoDB reforms to the grassroots  level  was  emphasized  during the  National  Conference  of  Chief  Secretaries held in December 2024.

In  response,  DPIIT  has  launched  the  District  Business  Reform  Action  Plan (DBRAP)-a State-led initiative aimed at localizing BRAP at the district level. DBRAP is designed to strengthen last-mile delivery, improve service quality, and  accelerate  regional development  by  equipping  districts  with  robust institutional and digital infrastructure. These  reforms  will  be  implemented across District Collectorates, Development  Authorities,  and  Urban  Local Bodies,  which  play  a  critical  role  in  regulatory  approvals,  inspections,  and business facilitation

In this regard, DPIIT has issued a comprehensive D-BRAP 2025 Implementation Guidebook, which lays down  a structured district-level framework to improve Ease of Doing Business and enhance administrative responsiveness. The Guidebook covers six key reform areas:

1. District-level approvals and service delivery
2. Digitisation and mutation of property records
3. Time-bound and risk-based inspection systems
4. District-level investment facilitation mechanisms
5. Measures for fostering start-ups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities and
6. Strengthening of industrial parks and local infrastructure.

A total of 154 reforms have been identified, each with a clearly defined objective and assessment  checklist  to  ensure  uniform  implementation  and  monitoring across districts. The  reforms  are  drafted in  a  manner  that  improves predictability  for  businesses  and  builds  competitive  district-level  ecosystems that support MSMEs, start-ups, and new investments.

- (b): Under the District Business Reforms Action Plan (D-BRAP) 2025, each reform is  accompanied  by  a  detailed  assessment  checklist  for  evaluating  district performance. The parameters have been organised into the following thematic categories:

## 1. Service Delivery and Single Window Systems

-  Online  provision  of  approvals,  licenses,  and  services  across  the business lifecycle  through the Single Window System or departmental portals.
-  Availability of online credit facilitation tools for MSMEs and enterprises.

## 2.    Land and Property Governance

-  Digitisation of property and land records, including cadastral maps.
-  Availability  of  land/property-related  court  case  information  on  digital platforms.

## 3. Inspection and Compliance Systems

-  Time-bound,  transparent  inspection  processes  supported  by  online dashboards  with district-level inspection data.

## 4. Investor Facilitation

DBRAP aims to empower investors with clear, district-level information on industrial  potential  by  strengthening  District  Industry Centres  (DICs)  as  the  primary  facilitation points.  The  State  must ensure  DICs  are  accessible,  well-equipped,  and  IT-enabled; deploy trained  staff;  provide  regular  capacity-building  on  policies  and  the Single  Window  System;  maintain  updated  information resources; map  key  economic  areas;  support large investment proposals; and set up systems for expert access, feedback, and monitoring.

Districts are responsible for ensuring effective on-ground performance of DICs by tracking investor footfall, resolution timelines,  and  service  quality.  They  must  update  investment  data regularly, engage with local industry and academia, submit performance  and  Training  Needs  Assessment  reports,  maintain training  trackers,  document  best  practices,  collect  user  feedback, and identify local experts for the State's panels.

## 5.   MSME and Start-up Support

MoUs  between District Industries Centres (DICs) and CSIR Innovation  Complexes.  Number  of  MSMEs  utilising  CSIR  facilities  or services through district-level linkages. As part of the evaluation, States and  UTs  assess  their  districts  against  these  parameters  through evidence-based assessment, including document checks, system screenshots,  and  nominate  a  specified  number  of  districts  for  further review.

- (c): Consultations on District BRAP were held with leading industry associations as well as the State Governments and their suggestions were incorporated into the final  document.
- (d) & (e): D-BRAP  2025  includes  a  dedicated  reform  area  named  Fostering  Start-up Growth  in  Tier-II  and  Tier-III  Cities,  which  is  aimed  at  strengthening  of entrepreneurship  development  at  the  District  level,  through  units  such  as Startup  Cells  within  District  Industries  Centres  (DICs).  These  Cells  are envisaged to function as a single point of contact for new and existing startups at the district level. Their key role includes, -
-  Handholding and facilitation for entrepreneurs across application processes, approvals, and grievance redressal.
-  Supporting onboarding of startups onto the BHASKAR portal to enhance visibility and access to schemes.
-  Coordinating with banks and financial institutions to improve credit access for eligible startups under central and state schemes.
-  Promoting the establishment of incubation centres, co-working spaces, and plugand-play facilities, particularly in smaller towns with limited infrastructure.
-  Creating  structured  mentoring  networks  connecting  startups  with  sector experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and academic institutions to support business development and skill enhancement.

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