Kozhikode: The district industries centre (DIC) is set to popularize the K-Swift (Kerala single widow interface for fast and transparent clearance).

As an outreach programme, the officials with the district industries centre have started a training programme for the technical staff of local self-government bodies in the district as part of the initiative.

To popularize K-Swift, the DIC have already offered training to officials of local bodies, mostly local body secretaries and technical staff, from Kozhikode and Koyilandy taluk. The officials are planning to impart training on technical features of K-Swift to the panchayat officials from Vadakara and Thamarassery taluks in the coming days.

The district industries centre has also formed an investment promotion facilitation cell (IPFC) to help the entrepreneurs including traders and persons interested in operating other establishments to file online application for single window clearance.

“The Single Window Clearance Board came into force in districts and the state over a year ago aiming to assure timely issuance of licenses for industries and establishments,” said P A Najeeb, general manager of DIC.

However, not many persons were using the facility owing to their ignorance, he said adding that the K-Swift and IPFC projects were being introduced by the DIC to popularize the single window clearance facility.

The K-Swift is a transparent system, where an applicant can apply for licenses of various government departments including panchayats, pollution control board and fire and rescue at a single platform. The online application filed through K-Swift will be redirected to all departments concerned.

“The departments concerned are bound to issue the license or reject the application within 30 working days," said Najeeb. If the application is not processed properly by the department in 30 days, the applicant will get a deemed license, the official added.

The DIC has appointed trained staff at the IPFC to help the applicants file online applications. Those who are not familiar with the online system can approach the cell. The personnel at the cell will create a user account on behalf of the applicant and complete the procedures.

As the process involves a number of government departments, we are hoping to popularize K-Swift in a phased manner, said Najeeb. Our aim is to educate as many as possible about the benefits of the new system, he added.

Published On : 31-10-2019

Source : Times of India