Panel readies 23-point

 

Panel readies 23-point best practices for states

Extract from the article:
The article discusses a newly constituted panel that has formulated a comprehensive 23-point checklist of best practices aimed at optimizing the economic and administrative framework across Indian states. This initiative is designed to enhance the ease of doing business and streamline statutory compliances such as trade licenses, availability of land, and water supply linkages. The panel is keen on fostering competitive yet collaborative dynamics among states, encouraging them to implement these best practices in a bid to attract increased investment and stimulate regional growth. A notable emphasis is placed on the appointment of nodal officers at both central and local levels to facilitate investor relations and ensure accountability.

Further, the article highlights the strategic role of data-driven evaluations and rankings to be generated by an expert consultant identified for this purpose. These rankings, expected to be both credible and transparent, will serve as a benchmark for states to improve or recalibrate their policy measures. The overarching goal of the panel is to cultivate a business-friendly environment by erasing procedural redundancies and enhancing infrastructural readiness, thereby inviting more robust participation from entrepreneurs and investors nationwide. Significantly, the cross-party acceptance and cooperation underline a growing consensus on reforming governance for economic upliftment.

My Take:

A. Fw: Make Difference 10092
Reflecting on my earlier blog where I discussed the importance of statutory clearances such as trade licenses, land availability, and water supply as critical parameters, it is fascinating to observe that these very elements form the pillar of the latest 23-point best practice panel’s recommendations. Back in 2015, I emphasized the appointment of credible consultants to compile and rank states based on these parameters, foreseeing the value of data-backed competitiveness in governance. The article mirrors my foresight, underscoring how such rankings encourage states, regardless of political differences, to collectively focus on enhancing investment climates. The appointment of nodal officers at every governmental level to liaise with investors was another crucial point I had predicted; today, it is being recognized as an indispensable facilitator of seamless investor engagement.

This congruence between my insights and present developments reinforces the notion that sustainable economic reform must be methodical and data-driven. Besides, the panel’s explicit focus on inter-state competition to improve business environments echoes the themes of accountability and collaboration I previously advocated. It convinces me even more that thoughtful, anticipatory governance—anchored in measurable action points and transparency—can radically transform investor perceptions and state performances over time.

B. Additional Write-up
In this earlier composition, I highlighted the Union government’s endeavor to publish rankings on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) through a meticulous evaluation of nearly a hundred parameters. This proactive transparency was intended to provide investors with clear, actionable insights to select suitable states for business ventures. Fast forward, the convergence of this vision with the panel’s contemporary 23-point best practices underscores the continuity and evolution of policy thinking. My emphasis on quantifiable performance matrices integrated into the EoDB index remains foundational to current strategies aiming for effective policy implementation and measurable outcomes.

I also anticipated the strategic role of winnowing criteria to a focused set of performance indicators, making evaluations pragmatic and implementable. The panel’s move toward a 23-point framework shows a commendable distillation of complexity into manageable standards, facilitating execution without overwhelming state machinery. From my vantage point, such thoughtful calibration not only fuels healthy competition but also nurtures a results-oriented governance culture, a hallmark for sustainable economic advancement.

C. Dear Amitabh
In this blog, I elaborated on the Centre’s decisive agenda requiring states to comply with a 98-point checklist, with the threat of “naming and shaming” becoming an accountability lever for underperformers. The current 23-point best practices initiative signals a significant refinement and consolidation of that earlier, more exhaustive approach. The lesson I glean from this is the vital importance of iterative simplification—transforming granular policy aspirations into actionable best practices that states can adopt with greater agility.

Moreover, my reflections on the use of independent expert bodies like the International Finance Corporation and World Bank for objective assessment prefigure the present panel’s plan to engage a highly credible consultant for state ranking. This progression embodies a maturation of policymaking mechanisms by entrusting evaluation to reputed third parties, ensuring fairness and robust validation. I find this alignment gratifying as it reflects both the spirit and substance of my earlier recommendations, demonstrating how visionary policy can gradually crystallize into concrete, implementable frameworks that enhance investor confidence and ease business entry barriers.

Call to Action:
To the esteemed policymakers, state governments, and nodal officers entrusted with spearheading these reforms: the time to act decisively is now. I urge you to fast-track the adoption of these 23-point best practices with fidelity and transparency, leveraging data and expert consultancy to identify gaps and measure progress rigorously. Let us transcend political affiliations and embrace a unified mission to make India an unbeatable destination for investment. Businesses and citizens alike depend on your commitment to removing red tape, streamlining facilitation, and nurturing a truly enabling environment.

Investors crave certainty, ease, and responsiveness — deliver these through accountable governance structures and continuous stakeholder engagement. Remember, the rankings and evaluations speak volumes beyond statistics; they shape perceptions that translate directly into economic opportunity and employment generation. I call upon every state to view these best practices not as regulatory impositions but as a competitive edge, a blueprint for sustainable growth that will elevate the nation’s prosperity.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh