A much needed intervention to revive the industry in Jammu and Kashmir has finally come from the Raj Bhawan. For decades, prospective industrialists, businessmen and even small local entrepreneurs, who wanted to set up their shops in J&K, were discouraged even before their flight had taken off. Starting a business in any troubled place is an uphill task. In Kashmir, this process comes with its own challenges. A series of administrative and legal processes incorporated into the system by successive governments have ensured that a competitive business environment is not allowed to prevail and the erstwhile state runs more like a mandi (wholesale market) where a few rule the roost. While this system suited the chosen few but it hurt the interests of the common masses and stunted the percolation of fruits of prosperity. The Administrative Council which is headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has done away with this injustice. A series of measures have been announced for simplifying business establishment process in Jammu and Kashmir which will go a long way in reviving the ailing economy. Now anyone coming from outside Jammu and Kashmir to do business here or even the local entrepreneurs won’t have to face the red-tapism in the bureaucracy because the pre-requisite of ‘No Objection Certificates’ and Approvals for setting up of a business unit has been relaxed. As per an official spokesperson, fifteen such clearances were required for a business unit to establish. Sinha-led council has now reduced these to a bare minimum. As per officials, there will be no requirement of at least 15 certificates that were earlier required for new businesses before beginning operations. Besides, two sets of Single Window Committees have been established which will facilitate the processes for new businesses. This comes as part of a series of reforms announced by the UT administration to encourage large scale investment here after the reading down of the special status. Earlier the government had announced new Industrial Developmental Scheme to give a fillip to the J&K’s economy. This will not only improve the newly created union territory’s ranking in the Ease of Doing Business Index but also create a strong foundation for economy wreaked by years of political turmoil. Once the business environment improves, there will be huge employment opportunities for the people that will address the underlying political unrest too, especially in Kashmir Valley. This announcement to ease rules for new businesses is indeed a welcome step.