Mumbai - Government of Maharashtra today announced the launch of a unique Single Window Clearance (SWC) Portal for the benefit of its existing customers and plot holders. Inaugurated at the hands of the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Ashok Chavan, this digital facility is a part of MIDC'S ongoing efforts to adopt the latest and best in technology that help simplify procedures and facilitate ease in doing business with Maharashtra.
Maharashtra is perhaps the only state in the country to launch a service that permits both - online submission and approval system through a dynamic interactive portal developed and commissioned by Microsoft. Shri Rajendra Darda, Minister of Industries, Government of Maharashtra presided over the launch function and Shri Sachin Ahir, Minister of State for Industries, was the Guest of Honour.
The occasion also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MIDC and Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd. to establish a new passenger car, truck and bus radial tyre production unit at Chakan near Pune. The Bridgestone plant at Chakan is expected to commence production by January 2013.
The online single window clearance portal is part of a larger initiative i.e Digital MIDC initiated by MIDC with Microsoft Corporation to make MIDC more investor friendly organization. Under this initiative, MIDC is implementing ERP to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the organisation.
Unveiling the SWC portal with the press of a button, the Honourable Chief Minister said "In order to enhance the efficient exchange of information between the entrepreneurs and government, and minimize the extensive procedures dealt by the investors, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has conceptualized, initiated and engineered a single point solution - "Digital Single Window Clearance System". This system will go in long way in further enhancing the trust and confidence of investors with Maharashtra
Shri Rajendra Darda added that "this initiative has been a long standing demand from the industry. The single window environment aims to expedite and simplify information flows between trade and government and bring meaningful gains to all parties involved in trade. The portal will provide a single window view for the approvals and clearances from MIDC required by the MIDC customers."
Dr. Kshatrapati Shivaji, CEO, MIDC emphasized that the "SWC service is one more feature that strengthens MIDC's service offerings to investors and entrepreneurs, who can now access services pertaining to Line departments like Planning, Land acquisition, Engineering & Maintenance, Fire and supporting departments like Accounts & Finance, Legal and General Administration, and Technical advisor's office through a single gateway". This dynamic portal is further going to be equipped for extending Single Point clearance facilities for the approvals required from District Industry Centres (DIC), MPCB and other related govt depts..
The portal also allows new customers to make online application for land. Once the plot is allotted, the customer becomes eligible to avail of the full gamut of services. The site launched on MIDC's website can be accessed by clicking the 'Single Window Service' link.
While, Maharashtra has long been the frontrunner in the quantum of total FDI and domestic investments garnered, this initiative from MIDC will provide added credence in promoting Maharashtra as the ideal investment destination. Along with the SWC launch, MIDC also announced the launch of its Property Card initiative. The Property Card will provide MIDC plot owners with a bonafide title to their property making them graduate from multiple page lease documents to a handy certified ownership of their plot. The card will further provide an added title document in addition to the existing cumbersome records of rights, tenancy & the history of the plot holding pattern with a single document. Additionally it can validate property ownership for all regulatory & legal purposes. MIDC is also planning to initiate a clean and green program, which will include introduction of enhancing the green belt area, establishment clean technology infrastructure in all industrial estates.
Meetul Patel, Country Head, Microsoft Consulting Services, who have formulated the SWC portal, said "We are delighted to further strengthen our partnership with the Maharashtra Industries Development Corporation (MIDC). We, at Microsoft, believe that technology can transform the functioning of an organization and help maximize its potential. In line with our commitment to the state of Maharashtra, Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS), as technology partners, is implementing Microsoft Dynamics AX to enable the Digital MIDC initiative. Our solution will help simplify business approvals and procedures through the efficient exchange of information between entrepreneurs and government, and minimize the extensive procedures currently required of investors."
Sunil Chandiramani, Partner, Ernst & Young, MIDC's Knowledge Partner in promoting Maharashtra as the ideal investment destination believes that "Single Window Clearance portal launched by MIDC is a unique system in the country which facilitates an entrepreneur to consult, apply, obtain forms, process and get approvals through an online portal. Such an end to end online facility is first of its kind in the country".
Through its foresight to bring about these innovative changes, MIDC is building itself into contemporary, transparent and customer friendly organization that wants to bring the best to the table.
