The Haryana government has taken a significant step towards formalising its industrial landscape with the launch of a dedicated online portal. This new digital platform is designed specifically to facilitate the regularisation of factories that are currently operating outside the officially designated industrial zones across the state.
A Digital Solution for Longstanding Compliance Issues
This initiative, spearheaded by the state's Labour Department, addresses a persistent regulatory gap. For years, numerous manufacturing and production units have functioned in areas not zoned for industrial activity, often in residential or commercial localities. The newly launched portal provides a structured, transparent, and accessible channel for the owners of these factories to bring their operations into the legal fold.
The official launch was conducted by Haryana's Labour Minister, Sh. Anoop Dhanak. The event underscored the government's commitment to streamlining business processes and enhancing ease of doing business. By moving the application process entirely online, the authorities aim to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and reduce physical interface, making compliance simpler and faster for entrepreneurs.
Key Features and Application Process
The portal offers a user-friendly interface where factory owners can submit their applications for regularisation. The process is designed to be straightforward, requiring applicants to provide necessary details and upload relevant documents digitally. This move is expected to bring a large number of unregulated units under the ambit of state labour laws, ensuring better enforcement of safety, health, and workers' welfare standards.
The primary objective is to integrate these dispersed factories into the formal economy, allowing them to access government schemes and benefits while simultaneously ensuring they adhere to environmental and labour regulations. This regularisation is crucial for worker protection, as it mandates compliance with the Factories Act, 1948, which stipulates standards for occupational safety, health, and working conditions.
Implications for Industry and Governance
The launch of this portal is more than just an administrative update; it represents a proactive policy shift. For the government, it translates into better regulatory oversight, accurate data on industrial units, and potentially increased revenue through licences and fees. For factory owners, it offers a path to legitimacy, which can aid in securing loans, entering formal supply chains, and avoiding legal penalties.
This digital intervention is aligned with the broader 'Digital India' mission and reflects Haryana's focus on leveraging technology for improved governance. By providing a clear window for compliance, the state hopes to encourage voluntary participation from factory owners, fostering a cooperative rather than punitive relationship between industry and regulators.
Officials have indicated that the portal will be actively promoted to ensure maximum awareness among stakeholders. The success of this scheme hinges on widespread participation, which would lead to a safer, more organised, and accountable industrial ecosystem in Haryana.
