THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Following the controversial protest of businessman for building number, the rule has been amended to grant temporary building number through K SWIFT to enterprises with investments up to Rs 50 crore. The government has issued a notification in this regard.

A non-resident businessman named Shajimon George had protested in the middle of the road the other day for not allotting a building number to an enterprise that had been registered through K SWIFT in Manjoor Panchayat under LDF. Following this, the government hastily amended the rule yesterday. The amendment is that the number in the certificate received while submitting the application to K SWIFT will be treated as the temporary building number. It is enough to get a fixed number within three years.

The Kerala Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Non-Industry Facilitation Rules, 2020 have been amended. Industries Minister P. Rajeev said that this will strengthen the investment-friendly environment.

Currently there is a provision that enterprises with K SWIFT approval can operate for up to three years without any other approval. It is enough to get the permissions within six months after three years. But as building number is required for loans etc., the amendment is to allow temporary building number through K SWFT.

The notification is a continuation of the discussions held by the Local Government Department and the Industries Department based on the recommendations of the Dr KC Sunny Committee appointed to revise the outdated industrial laws.

Enterprises with investments above 50 lakhs are granted licenses within seven days after application along with documents.

The Online Grievance Redressal Mechanism has provision for decision within 30 days and implementation within 15 days on complaints related to services to start and run MSME industries. Penalties will be levied on defaulting officers. This is the first such system in the country. If no further action is taken within 15 days, the officer shall pay a fine of Rs 250 for each day of delay. A maximum fine of Rs 10,000 can be levied. Complaints related to 17 departments will be resolved.