Kerala – Bada Business

Kerala has become the 8th State in India to successfully undertake ‘Ease of Doing Business’ reform stipulated by the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance. The ease of doing business is an important indicator of the investment friendly business climate in the country. Improvements in the ease of doing business will enable faster future growth of the state economy. Therefore, the government of India had in May 2020, decided to link grant of additional borrowing permissions to States who undertake the reforms to facilitate ease of doing business. Kerala has become eligible to mobilise additional financial resources of Rs 2,261 crore through Open Market Borrowings.

An official release by the government stated that the permission for the same was issued to Kerala by the Department of Expenditure on January 12, 2021. Kerala has now joined the seven other States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, who have completed this reform. On completion of reforms facilitating ease of doing business, these eight States have been granted additional borrowing permission of Rs 23,149 crore.

State wise amount of the additional borrowing permitted is as under:

Sr. No.	State	Amount (Rs in crore)
1.	Andhra Pradesh	2,525
2.	Karnataka	4,509
3.	Kerala	2,261
4.	Madhya Pradesh	2,373
5.	Odisha	1,429
6.	Rajasthan	2,731
7.	Tamil Nadu	4,813
8.	Telangana	2,508

The reforms stipulated in this category are:

(i) Completion of first assessment of ‘District Level Business Reform Action Plan’

(ii) Elimination of the requirements of renewal of registration certificates/approvals/licences obtained by businesses under various Acts.

(iii) Implementation of computerized central random inspection system under the Acts wherein allocation of inspectors is done centrally, the same inspector is not assigned to the same unit in subsequent years, prior inspection notice is provided to the business owner, and inspection report is uploaded within 48 hours of inspection.

Kerala Government’s NORKA-Pravasi Start-Up Scheme Helped 4,179 Expatriates to Establish Business in the State

The Non-Resident Keralite Affairs (NORKA)-led Pravasi Start-Up Scheme launched by the state government in Kerala has proven to be a boon to the start-up ecosystem in the state. The scheme has been able to create 4,179 expatriate entrepreneurs over the last five years. It was introduced with the aim to rehabilitate expatriates in Kerala who can contribute to the economic development of the state according to their professional skills. Prarambha: Everything you must know about the Startup India International Summit!

Over the last five years, the Kerala government has sanctioned Rs 220.37 Crore for the start-up projects initiated by citizens in Kerala, who have returned to the state after spending a lot time abroad. During the last financial year 2019-20, 1,043 entrepreneurs were sanctioned Rs 53.40 Crore under this scheme. “Since the LDF government came to power, this government has distributed 45.21 Crore as subsidy to 2,895 entrepreneurs till November 2020,” said NORKA Chairman and senior leader of CPM, K Varadarajan during a media briefing.Tech Startups in India Report Nearly 10% Growth in 2020 Despite COVID-19 Pandemic, Over 1,600 Tech Startups Added in a Year: Nasscom.

Under the Non-Resident Keralite Affairs (NORKA)-led Pravasi Start-Up Scheme, loans up to Rs 30 Lakh with a capital subsidy of 15 per cent (Subject to a maximum of Rs 3 Lakh), are available for start-ups by expatriates who have returned to the state after working for a minimum 2 years in a foreign country. It also offers a 3 per cent interest rebate for the first four years for those who pay the interest on time. Kerala Bank, Canara Bank and the Travancore Pravasi Development Cooperative Society are some of the financial institutions which provide loans to under the provisions of the scheme.

It was started as a joint venture between NORKA and the Kerala Startup Mission to create self-employment opportunities for Pravasis who return to the state from foreign countries and who are looking forward to start their own business. Under the scheme, NORKA undertakes field camps for easier distribution loans and increased reach. It also aims to provide loans in a single day. Seven camps were conducted during 2019-2020 and around 500 expatriates benefited from these camps.