Telangana government is integrating nearly 96 approvals into a single digital platform under TG-iPASS 2.0, a senior official said.

“We are integrating nearly 96 approvals, including those for commercial, educational, clinical and other establishments, into a single digital platform with a deemed approval mechanism,” Director of Industries Nikhil Chakravarthy told a seminar organised as part of National Paper Day.

Concepts of speed of doing business and the right to do business are getting integrated into TG-iPASS single-window approval system, under which industries receive approvals within 30 days failing which they are deemed approved. The model has already earned Telangana recognition for Ease of Doing Business, he said.

Statutory backing on cards

“For green and white category industries with minimal environmental impact, we aim to allow businesses to commence operations immediately while providing adequate time to obtain post-establishment approvals. We are working towards giving this framework statutory backing, making Telangana an even more industry-friendly destination. We are committed to being pro-commerce, pro-trade, and pro-merchant,” he said, adding by bringing in more approvals on a single platform the government aims to significantly simplify and accelerate the process of starting and expanding businesses.

Mr. Chakravarthy called upon paper industry stakeholders to embrace innovation, sustainability and technological advancement to remain globally competitive. The seminar was organised by the Federation of Paper Traders Association in association with the Telangana Paper Merchants’ Association.

Appeal to slash GST

President Elect of FPTA T. Kishan Singh said the paper trade is evolving rapidly with changing consumer demands, digital transformation and sustainability imperatives. He appealed to the government to reduce GST on paper and paperboard packaging from 18% to 5%. TPMA president Abhishek Vijaywargiya and Secretary Ashish Jain Bhansali and others spoke, the organisers said in a release on Friday.