Jammu Tawi: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday allowed eligible enterprises to commence operations on self-declaration through single window setup and granted them protection from routine inspections for three years under the Jammu Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Act, 2026.
The government has also designated the executive committee as the single nodal agency for all investment-related approvals required by enterprises across the Union Territory, including those operating in notified industrial areas, parks and clusters.
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on October 29 passed the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, after a debate during which chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended his government’s push to make it easier for businesses to operate in the Union Territory, saying the government should create conditions for private industry rather than run commercial establishments itself.
The General Administration Department (GAD), through a notification issued on Wednesday, said enterprises obtaining a Certificate of In-Principle Approval (CIPA) would be protected from routine inspections for three years from the date of issuance of the certificate, subject to exceptions prescribed under the Act.
The notification provides for obtaining the certificate by submitting a Declaration of Intent through self-declaration under Sections 9 and 11 of the Act.
The certificate will serve as approval for prescribed regulatory services and remain valid for three years, allowing enterprises to establish, construct and commence operations while obtaining applicable regular approvals within the stipulated period.
The certificate is to be issued within three working days for enterprises located in approved industrial parks and within 30 days for those operating outside such parks. In case the competent District Empowered Committee fails to decide within the prescribed timeframe, the approval will be deemed to have been granted.
The exemption from routine inspections, however, will not apply to cases involving serious complaints. Inspections may be undertaken by competent authorities or authorised officers, subject to the prescribed conditions and approval of the Deputy Commissioner or Additional District Development Commissioner, wherever required.
The Government has also designated the Executive Committee as the single nodal agency for investment-related approvals across the Union Territory, including enterprises operating in notified industrial areas, parks and clusters.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had defended the legislation, stating that the Government should create favourable conditions for private industry rather than run commercial establishments itself.
The Act seeks to replace permission-based controls with a rule-based system, under which business activities are permitted by default unless specifically prohibited under the Negative List in Schedule II.
It also provides for time-bound regulatory clearances, deemed approvals in case of delays, a Single Window System, district-level decision-making and self-certification or third-party certification for specified activities.
The Government said the measures aim to reduce regulatory hurdles, provide greater certainty to entrepreneurs and encourage investment and industrial growth across Jammu and Kashmir.