Maharashtra Dumps NA Permits for Industry
In a landmark decision aimed at streamlining industrial growth, the Maharashtra government has abolished the requirement for non-agricultural (NA) use permission, thereby simplifying land development for industrial units. The change is expected to reduce bureaucratic delays and lower costs, providing much-needed relief to the industrial sector.
Under the erstwhile system, industries were compelled to secure NA permission before undertaking any development on their land parcels. This permission process involved extensive documentation and multiple rounds of verification by district revenue authorities, which often resulted in significant delays and increased operational costs. With the new directive, industries are now only required to present a copy of the development permission issued by the local or civic body to the revenue authorities. This document will suffice to update the government records and facilitate subsequent development work.
The decision, announced on Wednesday by official sources, forms part of the state’s broader Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) initiative, launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The reform is anticipated to provide a major boost to industrial development in Maharashtra by eliminating a long-standing procedural bottleneck. The state government had earlier promised similar relief ahead of the assembly elections last year, and the move is being widely lauded by industry experts and business leaders alike.
Chandrashekhar Bawankule, heading the state Revenue Department, has been instrumental in implementing this bold initiative. His department has taken proactive steps to expedite the transformation by issuing a circular to revenue authorities, thereby bypassing the need for the NA permission. Furthermore, the government is set to amend the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, to formally remove the statutory requirement. Proposed amendments include revisions to sections 42 (A), (B), (C), and (D) as well as section 44-A, effectively scrapping the clauses that mandated NA permissions.
An official closely involved with the development indicated that a bill reflecting these changes will be introduced during the budget session of the state legislature in March. The reform is expected to further enhance Maharashtra’s reputation as a business-friendly state and is anticipated to stimulate both domestic and foreign investment in the industrial sector. By removing cumbersome regulatory hurdles, the state government is paving the way for a more agile and competitive industrial landscape.
