State Government Committed To Promote Ease Of Doing Business Says CM

Shimla: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated that the state government remains resolutely committed to promoting the ease of doing business to attract robust mercantile investments. Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Labour and Employment Department, the Chief Minister directed senior administrative officials to fully digitize the processing of all public-facing services, including corporate licenses, compliance permits, and statutory safety certificates.

To systematically eliminate bureaucratic delays and curb administrative hurdles, the administration has introduced sweeping legislative modifications. The state government has successfully amended the legacy provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments Act. Under these newly revised regulations, retail markets, commercial establishments, and registered trading hubs are now legally permitted to operate round the clock. This strategic operational flexibility is designed to significantly boost local trade, provide greater logistical convenience to everyday consumers, and generate substantial night-economy employment avenues.

Simultaneously, the state is leveraging its aggressive green energy transit plan to drive localized entrepreneurship. Under the expanding Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Scheme, the government is extending an institutional 50% capital subsidy through Direct Benefit Transfer mechanisms to incentivize youth. A dedicated budgetary provision of ₹50 crore has been secured for the 2026–27 fiscal year to supply subsidized e-taxis and e-rickshaws, modernizing urban transit while supporting eco-friendly commercial logistics.

The Chief Minister emphasized that modifying archaic laws will modernize the regional economy without compromising labor rights. The administration is balancing proactive regulatory simplification with robust social security nets to protect the local workforce. By moving toward transparent, paperless compliance tracking and randomized digital inspections, the state aims to establish a highly competitive, investor-friendly ecosystem. Industry leaders have welcomed these reforms, noting that round-the-clock commercial operations will position the state as a highly attractive hub for modern enterprise.