Centre extends Punjab right to business act to Chandigarh

The Union home ministry has extended the Punjab Right to Business Act, 2020, to Chandigarh, introducing a framework to expedite business approvals and investment facilitation in the union territory.

An important feature of the framework notified late on Thursday is a fully digital single-window system to improve ease of doing business. "Filing of declaration of intent, tracking of application status, issuance of certificates, inspection reports and grievance filing will be carried out electronically through the single-window portal," an official said. It introduces a process of deemed approval, where if decisions are not made within prescribed periods, approvals will automatically be generated and visible through the single-window portal.

According to the notification, the Act has been extended to the union territory with necessary modifications to adapt to its administrative structure. It replaces references to the Punjab government and its agencies with those of Chandigarh.


Businesses operating in IT parks, biotech parks, special economic zones, industrial townships, growth centres, food processing parks and other projects approved by the competent authority of Chandigarh, or the central government are expected to benefit under the framework that enables faster approvals and makes regulatory clearances simpler.

The Chandigarh Bureau of Enterprise and Investment will serve as the nodal agency for investment facilitation, coordination with government departments, issuance of in-principle approvals, grievance redressal and promotion of eligible enterprises. It will be led by the union territory's secretary (industries), with the director of industries acting as additional chief executive officer, according to the notification.