Improve last mile delivery for ease of doing business: PM Modi tells bureaucrats

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday asked bureaucrats to improve last mile delivery and focus on streamlining procedures to improve the country's 'ease of doing business' rankings, his office has said.

He also said that besides improving the ease of doing business rankings, it would also increase the 'ease of living' for small businesses and the common man.

Modi said this was extremely important for India as an emerging and vibrant economy, a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office said here.

The prime minister made these remarks at a high-level meeting he chaired to review progress of 'ease of doing business'.

It was attended by senior Union ministers related to economic matters, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal and senior officials from the Centre, and Delhi and Maharashtra governments.

He was briefed on the progress being made on various parameters related to ease of doing business.

Subjects such as construction permits, enforcement of contracts, registering property, starting a business, getting electricity, getting credit, and resolving insolvency came up for discussion.

India's rise in the World Bank 'Doing Business' rankings from 142 to 77, over the last four years, was taken note of, the statement said. Officials explained the steps being taken to plug shortcomings and resolve bottlenecks in implementing business reforms.

India has improved its ranking by 53 positions in the last two years and 65 places in four years since 2014. The World Bank ranks 190 countries based on 10 parameters, including starting a business, construction permits, getting electricity, getting credit, paying taxes, trade across borders, enforcing contracts, and resolving insolvency.

The country has also moved eight places to be at 58 among 140 countries in WEF's global competitiveness

rankings.