Question : IFC`S DOING BUSINESS REPORT

(a)whether India ranks poorly among countries in International Finance Corporation’s (IFCs) Doing Business Report, 2011;

(b)if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;

(c)whether Government is planning to launch single window electronic mechanism for clearing thirty five approvals needed for starting a business in India;

(d)if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and

(e)if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR FINANCE(SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)

(a): As per the International Finance Corporation’s Doing Business Report 2011, India ranks 134 among the list of 183 economies. The report also lists India as one of the economies that have made it easier to do business in the last five years. As per the report 14 out of the 17 cities, covered in the study in India, implemented changes to ease business startup, construction permitting and property registration between 2006 and 2009.

(b): India’s ranking has been shown poorly mainly because of low ranking in the areas of dealing with construction permits (rank 177), enforcing contracts (rank 182), starting business (rank 165), paying taxes (164) and closing business (rank 134). ‘Doing Business Report’ is limited in scope. Since the report is based on quantitative data and benchmarking, it does not measure all aspects of the business environment that matter for firms and investors or affect the competitiveness of the economy.

(c): The Government is implementing the eBiz Mission Mode project, under the National e-Governance Plan, to set up a Government-to-Business (G2B) Portal to provide various services needed for businesses & investors. The vision of eBiz is “to transform the business environment in the country by providing efficient, convenient, transparent and integrated electronic services to investors, industries, and businesses throughout the business life-cycle”.

(d): The project will be implemented over 10 years in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, with the first three years as the pilot phase, and the remaining 7 years as the expansion phase. The concession for the eBiz project was finalized in 2009. It is envisaged that during the first year, 18 Central services and 11 State services will be made available in 5 pilot States, namely Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

(e): Does not arise.