Udyog Samvad, a web portal intended to provide a platform for direct dialogue between the industries department and entrepreneurs became functional on Wednesday.

The portal link has been uploaded onto the industries department website ( industries.bih.nic.in).

"Entrepreneurs or industrialists facing issues related to clearances from departments for their projects can contact senior department officials, including the principal secretary," an official said.

He said: "The portal has three segments meant for new entrepreneur, existing entrepreneur and a section which talks about action taken on any particular complaint. If one clicks on, for example, the new entrepreneur segment, the web page will ask for the cellphone number of the user. After the cellphone number is provided, a one-time password is sent to the phone via text message, to be keyed in into a slot on the web portal.

A page opens asking for details of the entrepreneur, including name, address, company name, address, details about the company and his complaint in full detail. His complaint goes directly to the industries department officials (secretaries)."

R.P. Singh, who has a food-processing unit in Hajipur, said: "Lots of problems are there for existing industrialists too. We find problems in renewing our clearances. However, this system is definitely good as it gives us a chance to directly contact senior department officials. It can be very effective in weeding out corrupt practices."