The State government is set to amend several rules related to various departments with an aim to spur more investments. The decision comes in the wake of the Invest Kerala Global Summit organised by the Industries department. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan decided to expedite further steps in this regard.
As many as 31 rules and policies related to various departments are expected to be amended. The policies and rules related to the Departments of Local Self-Government, Revenue, Electricity, Environment, Labour, Agriculture, Higher Education, and General Policies and Rules will be updated or amended in such a way as to make them investment-friendly, according to a release issued on Sunday.
Relaxations will be made to the norms regarding the width of entrance in the Kerala Building Rules 2019. It has also been decided to increase the maximum permissible area of buildings for industrial purposes in Category II Panchayats.
Building permit
The list of supporting documents required for applying for a building permit on leased land will be revised. The registered lease agreement will be considered as a document for building ownership. The guidelines for regularisation of constructions made under the Kerala MSME Facilitation Act, 2019 will be revised.
Amendments have also been proposed in the guidelines for local self-government bodies to accept licenses and deemed licenses issued under the provisions of the Kerala Industrial Single Window Clearance Boards and the Industrial Township Area Development Act, 1999.
The norms for mandatory parking facilities for resorts and hotels in the tourism and hospitality sector will be relaxed. For this, the norms for calculating the area of the building will be revised. Consideration will be given to granting permission for expansion by following the building construction rules applicable at the time of the establishment of the enterprise.
Task force
A task force is also being considered in the Local Self-Government department to give priority to the expressions of interest received at the Invest Kerala Global Summit. As many as 13 amendments to the rules related to the Local Self-Government department are being considered. A decision will be taken in consultation with the Finance department regarding the removal of the provision for payment of additional fees in the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008. The Unique Thandaper Number system will be expedited for transparent and efficient land use.
The land conversion applications related to the projects which came up at the Invest Kerala Global Summit will be expedited and considered on priority basis. The confusion in the order regarding the consideration of the Ministerial Committee regarding land ownership above 15 acres for industrial purposes will be resolved. A circular will be issued clarifying the powers of Agriculture Officers regarding change of land type. Training will also be provided to Agriculture Officers. Consideration will be given to revising the fees for permits of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board. The validity period of registration certificates under the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act will be increased.
Streamline procedures
It was decided to consider proposals to simplify land conversion procedures to facilitate investments, a proposal to streamline the procedures of the Forest and Wildlife department to issue various permits and certificates quickly and transparently, and a proposal to make technical education industry-oriented and strengthen skill development. The amendments are aimed at addressing the shortage of land for industrial use, simplifying the procedures for land acquisition and clearances and formulating rules to expedite clearances related to various departments.
Ministers P. Rajeeve, M.B. Rajesh, K. Rajan, K. Krishnankutty, A.K. Saseendran, V. Sivankutty, P. Prasad, R. Bindu, Chief Secretary A. Jayatilak and department secretaries participated in the meeting.
Published – June 22, 2025 08:13 pm IST
