New act set to make startups easier in Mamata’s Bengal

 Making it easier to start new businesses, the West Bengal Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill which will allow traders to get a provisional trade license upon application.

The West Bengal Municipal (Second Amendment) Bill, 2015 was passed unanimously in the House.

State Municipal and Urban Development Minister <g data-gr-id="27">Firhad</g> Hakim said the bill was aimed at making it easier for people to start a new business.

"People have to run from pillar to post for getting a basic thing like trade license. We will now give a provisional license. After one year, the trader has to submit all required documents and he will get a permanent trade license which would be valid for a period of three years," Hakim told reporters later on outside the House.

Altogether six bills relating to municipal affairs were passed in the Assembly on Wednesday. West Bengal Municipal (Third Amendment) Bill, 2015, provides for allowing incremental floor area ratio over and above the prescribed limit.

The minister said as the city's population is increasing the only way to accommodate more people is to grow vertically.

He said there is scope for expansion by adding new floors in many existing buildings.

The government has also given legal sanctity to the post of hearing officers in building related affairs.

Amidst a walkout by Congress MLAs, the Assembly also passed a resolution under Rule 169 regarding <g data-gr-id="28">inclusion</g> of certain areas under Bally Municipality within Howrah Municipal Corporation.

Hakim said they took the decision to bring development in Bally area which will now get more funds 

under various projects. Both the Left and Congress opposed the <g data-gr-id="33">resolution</g> but it was passed following a vote by majority members of the House in <g data-gr-id="34">favour</g>.