The city of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala has received approval from the Union Finance Ministry for special assistance $360 crore under the compliance reduction and deregulation component of the SASCI scheme.
SASCI stands for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The approval reflects the Centre’s recognition of Kerala’s systematic approach to reducing regulatory burdens and strengthening the state’s investment ecosystem through structured compliance reforms. The amount will be released in one lump sum, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
KSIDC, the nodal agency, has been coordinating the country-level implementation of the compliance reduction and deregulation program over the past nine months.
This represents a major reform initiative aimed at simplifying procedures and enabling enterprises – especially micro, small and medium enterprises – to exploit resources such as land, labour, factories, machinery and infrastructure without being bound by complex regulatory processes.
The reform process in the state has been guided under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, with focus on enabling enterprise growth, enhancing regulatory efficiency and enhancing overall economic competitiveness of Kerala, the release said.
For Kerala, Manoj Govil, Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, served as a member of the task force responsible for developing the programme.
She said that Additional Chief Secretary Muhammad Hanish played a key role in implementing the reforms through periodic evaluation and review of the progress made by various departments in coordination with the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.
This special assistance will support 13 capital investment projects undertaken by key state agencies, including Kerala Road Fund Board, Kerala Water Authority, Kerala Roads and Bridges Development Corporation and Kochi Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
These projects are expected to strengthen the country’s infrastructure and its readiness for investment.
The sanction recognizes the progress made by Kerala in making regulatory reforms, including relaxing building rules, simplifying master plan protocols, setting up industrial land banks, and streamlining construction and occupancy approval processes.
The statement added that these measures collectively contributed to improving the country’s regulatory environment for companies and investors.
The Compliance Reduction and Deregulation Program focuses on five priority areas: land, labour, building and construction, facilities and permits.
These areas are further organized into 23 sub-areas covering 11 departments, with the aim of rationalizing regulations, eliminating redundant procedures, and ensuring faster and more transparent approvals for institutions.
Systematic simplification of regulatory frameworks helps reduce compliance costs, encourages innovation, improves operational efficiency, and creates a more enabling environment for MSMEs and emerging industries.
The program has enhanced Kerala’s attractiveness as an investment destination by providing greater regulatory clarity and predictability, KSIDC added in the statement.
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