Chhattisgarh Reviews Risk-Based Business Approvals at First Ease of Doing Business Committee Meeting

Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, in the top panel, chairs the first meeting of the Executive Committee under the state’s Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, at Mahanadi Bhawan in Raipur on 5 November 2026. Senior officials are seen in the lower panels. Photo: primelookindia.com via CG/DPR

Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel asked departments to submit their final comments on the draft rules. The proposed framework links approvals and inspections to the level of risk.

Key Highlights

• The committee reviewed three proposed risk categories for business approvals, taking into account factors such as building type, height and built-up area.
• Low-risk cases could qualify for immediate approval through self-certification or self-declaration. Medium-risk cases could use third-party certification, while high-risk cases would require an on-site departmental inspection.
• Officials reviewed public service delivery deadlines and the integration of business services with the state’s single-window portal.

Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel on Thursday, 5 November 2026, chaired the first meeting of the Executive Committee constituted under the Chhattisgarh Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026, at the state secretariat in Mahanadi Bhawan. The committee reviewed departmental reform proposals, the criteria for classifying business services by risk and preparations for implementing the rules in phases.

Sheel asked the departments concerned to submit their final suggestions on the draft rules promptly. He said the changes were intended to reduce unnecessary procedures for investors and give micro, small and medium enterprises a simpler and more transparent digital approval process.

Proposed approvals to vary by risk

Under the work plan presented at the meeting, eligible low-risk cases could receive immediate approval through self-certification or self-declaration, with relief from inspections. Medium-risk cases could be processed within a prescribed period using third-party certification or verification by authorised experts.

For high-risk cases, the proposal calls for an on-site inspection by the department concerned before approval. The inspection would assess compliance with prescribed safety standards, fire regulations and public safety requirements.

Departments review deadlines and portal integration

The Commerce and Industry Department told the committee that procedures for the District Empowered Committee, the Executive Council and the Executive Committee had been notified. The meeting also reviewed how departments were classifying business services, setting deadlines under the public service guarantee framework and integrating those services with the single-window portal.

The review covered services handled by Urban Administration, Excise, Housing and Environment, Commerce and Industry, Home and Fire Services, Culture, Water Resources and Public Works.

Principal Secretaries Niharika Barik and Manish Kumar Thakur attended the meeting, along with Dr Rohit Yadav, Avinash Champawat, Rajat Kumar, Ankit Anand, Dr S. Bharathidasan, Himshikhar Gupta, Dr Saransh Mittar and other senior officials.