Lok Sabha Question No. 1367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Agro and Forest-based Industries in Assam
Ministry: CORPORATE AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Amarsing Tisso

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1367 ANSWERED ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2025 AGRAHAYANA 17, 1947 (SAKA)

## AGRO AND FOREST-BASED INDUSTRIES IN ASSAM QUESTION

1367. Shri Amarsing Tisso:

Will the Minister of CORPORATE AFFAIRS

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to encourage private sector investment  in agro-based  and  forest-based  industries  in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam under the Ease of Doing Business reforms;
- (b) if so, the details of the incentives or facilitation measures being considered for these sectors; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  assessment  of challenges faced by entrepreneurs in these hill districts in availing registration or compliance support and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD, TRANSPORT

AND HIGHWAYS

[SHRI HARSH MALHOTRA]

- (a) to (c): 1. In order to promote and ensure overall development of Food Processing Industries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)  has  been  incentivizing  setting  up/expansion  of  related infrastructure through its Central Sector schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Scheme, Production Linked Incentive  Scheme  for  Food  Processing  Industry  (PLISFPI)  and Centrally  Sponsored  Pradhan  Mantri  Formalization  of  Micro  Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme across the country including Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao Districts of Assam.
2. In a step towards ease of doing business in food processing sector, MoFPI has developed separate Online portals for all its schemes i.e., PMKSY, PMFME and PLISFPI. The module facilitates online submission of application document and its status tracking on real time basis for all users. Ministry has made all the processes related to  release  of  grants  simple,  easy  and  transparent  through  online scheme  management  system.  A  helpline  number  including  email based queries & reply has also been provided.
3. Ministry of Corporate Affairs has been taking several steps to make it easier for private sector to do business and thereby encouraging investment across the country and across the industries, including in agro-based and forest-based industries in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam. Some of the steps in this direction are as under: -
- (i)  Provisions  relating  to  Producer  Companies (Earlier Part IXA of Companies Act, 1956) were included in the Companies Act, 2013 to have a legislative framework facilitating businesses by those who wish to engage  in agricultural, agro-based and forest-based activities.
- (ii) Amendments were done in the Companies Act, 2013 in 2019 and 2020 to facilitate ease of doing business through decriminalization of offences and improved compliance requirements, specifically for Small  Companies,  One  Person  Companies,  Start-ups  &  Producer Companies.
- (iii) Section 446B of the Companies Act, 2013, first inserted in 2018, was amended in 2021, to impose lesser penalties for One Person Companies, small companies, startups and Producer Companies.
4. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), has implemented several digital-first initiatives to simplify compliance, enhance transparency and support capacity development for corporate entities across the country and across the industries, including in agro-based and forestbased industries in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam, which include: -
- (i)  Central Registration Centre (CRC) was set up in January, 2016 with an aim of providing greater Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) to

all the stake holders and has resulted in faster processing of Name Availability and Incorporation related e-Forms. (ii) Straight Through Process (STP) forms are designed to facilitate "ease of doing business" by eliminating procedural delays and the need for prior approval by a Registrar of Companies (ROC). These forms  are  approved  or  registered  immediately  upon  payment, thereby streamlining the compliance process. (iii) Webinars and training are conducted regularly for handholding stakeholders. Video tutorials, Chatbot, user manuals and FAQs are available on portal to assist users in filing of returns. ******