Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi delivers a lecture at the London School of Economics on Monday. (PTI)

Bihar is trying to make single window clearance for potential investors a reality.

Chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi talked about the state’s industrial incentive policy and its single window clearance system during his visit to London, from where he returned on Friday.

To make the Bihar Single Window Clearance Act of 2006 stronger and effective, the state industries department has asked different departments related to industries to ensure that any proposals coming to them for clearance from their counterparts are attended to promptly and seriously. The state government has set a timeframe of 45 days within which an investor should get all clearances essential for starting a unit.

“The state got the single window system in 2006 but it has not been implemented properly. Even now industrialists wishing to open a unit in Bihar have to run to various departments for clearance. If the state wants foreign investment, they should ensure investors do not face hassles. To ensure this, Udyog Mitra, a department agency, is ready to assist investors with clearances,” a department official said.

Earlier this month, a state government delegation for the first time took part in the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) at Xiamen. After their return, industries minister Bhim Singh and principal secretary Naveen Verma said Chinese investors were interested in Bihar but wanted land for industry and a perfect, single-window clearance system. Bhim Singh said: “Upon instructions from the chief minister, the departments have been told to ensure approvals are on time. For example, the energy department should complete different formalities regarding power clearance within 45 days.”

Further, the minister said: “If the investor has applied for land from Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (Biada) and the latter has agreed, it should ensure the process is completed within 30 days. Many departments involved with industries — like land and revenue, energy, excise, commercial taxes, water resources, food and consumer protection and other — have been asked to ensure they do not take more than 45 days for approvals. Moreover, Udyog Mitra and the industries department will be assisting investors get approval. So, one has to just come to the department office or the Udyog Mitra and the single window system will be active. With the state government expecting foreign investments, the system here needs to be intact,” he said.

Industrialists said the process was cumbersome.

“Though things have improved a bit, a lot needs to be done. On an average, an investor gets approval after three to six months. And this comes after much of running around. If the department is talking about giving clearance within 45 days, it is a good move,” said Amresh Singh, who is in the food processing business.