Chhattisgarh passes Ease of Doing Business Bill

The Chhattisgarh Assembly passed a landmark business reform bill on Thursday, July 16, 2026, establishing the state as the first in India to implement a comprehensive, risk-based business permission system. The Chhattisgarh Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, aims to drastically simplify regulatory processes, reduce compliance burdens, and create a more investor-friendly environment, with a particular focus on benefiting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the new legislation, industries and commercial establishments will be classified according to their size and risk profile. This classification allows low-risk businesses to secure quicker approvals through mechanisms like self-certification or certification by licensed professionals such as engineers and architects, replacing frequent departmental inspections. For high-risk projects, technical scrutiny and physical inspections will be retained to maintain oversight. The bill also abolishes mandatory annual license renewals, easing a significant administrative burden for businesses.

Specific provisions for MSMEs include obtaining water supply permissions through self-declaration, time-bound registration of...