Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced substantial concessions in licensing fees for women entrepreneurs and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) during a Stakeholder Consultation in New Delhi. Organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the consultation aimed to enhance the efficiency of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). Goyal announced an 80% concession for women entrepreneurs and a 50% concession for MSMEs in licensing fees for licenses granted by PESO. This initiative aims to boost the participation of women and small businesses in the petroleum and explosives sectors. The Minister directed PESO to formulate guidelines in consultation with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) to create a template of safety measures. These guidelines will enable petrol pumps to operate where there is habitation within 30-50 meters. Goyal announced the incorporation of QR codes for cylinders in the draft Gas Cylinders Rules (GCR), with the final notification to be issued soon. A committee will be formed to examine the feasibility of extending the validity of licenses for explosives, transport, and manufacturing to ten years. Efforts will be made to involve TPIAs in more areas to streamline processes and improve efficiency. PESO will develop online permission modules for areas still managed offline to expedite approvals and reduce compliance burdens. Amendments to the Form XIV license will be made to streamline the process for CNG facilities within petrol pumps, reducing compliance burdens and the workload of PESO. Goyal emphasised the need to simplify processes and approvals within PESO. He directed officers to strictly adhere to timelines for clearing applications, issue FAQs for different approvals and licenses, and ensure that No Objection Certificates (NOCs) by District Authorities are issued through the Licensing System for District Authority (LSDA) online system.

During the consultation, Goyal responded to industry suggestions by directing MoPNG and concerned industry associations to form committees to develop detailed recommendations. These committees will study and propose best practices and standards.

The consultation brought together over 150 stakeholders from various sectors, including representatives from the Federation of Agrivalue Chain Manufacturers and Exporters (FAME), Explosives Manufacturers Welfare Association (EMWA), Indian Ammonium Nitrate Manufacturers Association (IANMA), and All India Industrial Gas Manufacturers Association (AIIGMA). These industry associations highlighted critical areas for regulatory improvement and operational enhancement. PESO, a subordinate office under DPIIT, administers regulatory frameworks established under the Explosives Act, 1884, and the Petroleum Act, 1934. In recent years, PESO has undertaken significant reforms, including the introduction of a paperless licensing system, adherence to strict approval timelines, and the integration of Third Party Inspection Agencies. These reforms aim to simplify compliance procedures and enhance safety standards.

The stakeholder consultation underscored a collaborative effort towards fostering a conducive regulatory environment in the petroleum and explosives sectors. DPIIT remains committed to reducing compliance burdens, promoting ease of doing business, and safeguarding industry standards across the nation. The Ministry highlighted ongoing initiatives to adopt a risk-based approach to regulation, capacity building for regulatory bodies, and enhanced digital transformation as key priorities moving forward. (Source: ET)