BENGALURU: The Karnataka government is all set to eliminate the existing form of inspections under as many as 12 different Acts dealing with labour and pollution, besides trying to introduce deemed approvals for registrations and licences under seven Acts.
The state has set a target of eight months to abolish surprise inspections under 12 Acts, three of which deal with payments of wages, gratuity and bonus, while three others deal with labour rights and safety. Two of them deal with prevention and control of air, water pollution (see list below)
An internal document accessed by TOI reads: “…The reform suggests prior notices to industries and uploading of inspection reports within 48 hours of the inspection.”
Aside from this, the government is looking at a central random inspection — with prior notices served to the industrial units — under which allocation of inspectors will be done centrally. “…The same inspector is not assigned the same unit in subsequent years,” it adds.
At present state authorities conduct periodic inspections to check compliance under each of these laws and they are allowed to carry out inspections without informing the industry.
Labour activists and trade unions TOI spoke with said that the move will be detrimental to the workers welfare and safety. “The Factories Act deals with occupational safety and health. No surprise inspection under this is as good as doing away with inspections altogether,” one trade union member said.
J Crasta, national executive member, FICCI, however, welcomed the move and said these were reforms industry bodies have been demanding for at least 30 years now. “…Karnataka has been lagging behind states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the ease of doing business rankings, and the government has been trying to correct that for a few years now. This will help,” he said.
Industry associations, having anticipated protests from trade unions, are planning to file a caveat — a formal notice given by an interested party to a court, judge, or ministerial officer in opposition to certain acts — against a potential lawsuit from labour unions.
Registration and Licences
Further, the government is looking at eliminating renewal procedures and introducing a deemed approval mechanism for registrations under two Acts, licences under four Acts besides trade licences from the municipal corporations (see list below).
Gaurav Gupta, principal secretary, industries department, had told TOI earlier that the government was looking at multiple reforms, including land, labour, approval and other reforms.
“…Apart from these reforms, we are even looking at, in some specific cases, to completely do away with existing registration norms. For instance, we are thinking of a system just like you PAN. Once you give your details, you get a number, which becomes your PAN. Details for a similar process is being worked out,” Gupta added.
CR Janardhan, president, FKCCI, said that the governments move will allow creation of more wealth and jobs in the state. “Industries are dependent on labour and our workers welfare will be a priority. As per our discussions with the government, they are ready to introduce thRead More – Source
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