{
  "id": 7769212,
  "title": "Cabinet clears ‘Saral Kerala’ to simplify, expedite investment approvals",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/cabinet-clears-saral-kerala-to-simplify-expedite-investment-approvals",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T11:01:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cabinet-clears-saral-kerala-to-simplify-expedite-investment-approvals/article71471870.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Wednesday, the Keralam Cabinet approved 'Saral Kerala', a scheme designed to streamline investment approval processes and attract new businesses to the state. The initiative aims to simplify and expedite the licensing and permitting procedures for industrial ventures by establishing a Single Statutory Authority, which will handle all approvals through a unified channel following the One-State-One-Approval-One-Document (OSAD) concept.\n\nSignificant amendments to 19 existing laws were also introduced as part of the scheme. District-level bodies will handle investments between ₹25 crore to ₹50 crore, while State-level bodies will manage proposals exceeding ₹50 crore. The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) will coordinate the scheme, and government departments will be required to review proposals and communicate decisions within a set timeframe.\n\nAn appeal mechanism will be established to address objections raised by departments, with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan stating that the scheme will provide relief to long-pending investment proposals, in some cases for five to seven years. The Cabinet also approved the establishment of two National Investigation Agency courts in Ernakulam, following judicial interventions regarding pending demands. The Central government will bear the entire financial cost of setting up and operating the courts.\n\nAdditionally, 18 new 'Radiographer Grade II' posts were created under the Health department to address the shortage of radiographers in government hospitals and alleviate patient difficulties. The scheme, with its streamlined procedures and removal of obstacles, aims to open up significant new avenues for the state's development.",
  "summary": "A ‘Single Statutory Authority’ to be established to grant all approvals through a unified channel",
  "key_points": [
    "Saral Kerala scheme approved to simplify investment approvals.",
    "Single Statutory Authority to handle all licensing and permitting.",
    "District and State-level bodies to manage investments based on value."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}