In a significant move to streamline the ease of doing business in the state, the Government of Meghalaya has issued multiple notifications on February 5th, 2025, under the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) initiative.
These reforms are aimed at simplifying business regulations, enhancing transparency, and improving compliance with labour laws.
These changes come in line with the broader Business Reform Action Plan developed by the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Online Submission for Labour Law Services
The Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development has announced that all applications for certain services must now be submitted online through the Invest Meghalaya Portal. In a bid to eliminate offline submission, the following services are now exclusively available via the portal:
Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970
- License/renewal for contractors
- Registration of principal employer’s establishment
Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996
- Registration of establishments employing building and construction workers
Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979
- Registration of establishments
- License/renewal for contractors
Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961
- Certificate of registration/renewal for a Motor Transport Undertaking
Meghalaya Shops & Establishments Act, 2003
- Registration/renewal of shops & establishments
Meghalaya Identification, Registration (Safety & Security) of Migrant Workers Act, 2020
- Registration/renewal of migrant workers
As per the new mandate, no physical or manual application will be accepted, and all submissions must be made online through the dedicated portal. This transition aims to reduce paperwork, enhance process efficiency, and eliminate delays.
Features of the Online System
The newly introduced online portal will offer the following features:
Online Application Submission
Applicants can submit their forms, make payments, and track the status of their applications online. The entire process will be automated, from submission to final approval.
Third-Party Verification
For added transparency, applicants can verify the authenticity of approvals, registrations, and licenses through third-party verification mechanisms provided by the system.
Digital Certificates
The portal will allow businesses to download digitally signed and legally valid certificates/licenses. This eliminates the need for physical signatures or stamps on documents.
No In-Person Interactions
From the application submission to the issuance of the final approval, there will be no physical contact between applicants and the Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development. The only exception is when an inspection or site visit is required under specific laws.
Notifications and Alerts
Applicants will receive timely notifications via SMS or email at every critical stage of the application process, ensuring they stay informed about their submission’s status.
Efficient Query Handling
All queries or clarifications raised by applicants will be addressed within seven days, with resolutions provided within 15 days of application submission.
Real-Time Dashboard
An online dashboard will allow applicants to track data related to the number of applications received, approvals granted, processing time, fees incurred, and service timelines. The dashboard will be regularly updated in real time, ensuring the public has up-to-date insights into the application process.
Launch of the Single Window System
In another notable development, the Government has also launched the Online Single Window System, which will act as a one-stop platform for businesses to manage all their labour law-related registrations and licenses. The system simplifies the submission of annual returns under various labour laws, making it easier for contractors, principal employers, and establishments to comply with state regulations.
This move aligns with the DPIIT guidelines, and businesses will now be able to submit their returns for all relevant labour laws through the integrated system.
Introduction of Online Dashboard
In response to the need for increased transparency, the state government has mandated the publication of an online dashboard to track the processing of applications for licenses and registrations. The dashboard will cover the following key features:
- Clear publication of the number of applications received and granted, along with the time taken to process these applications.
- Real-time updates on data, ideally updated daily, weekly, or monthly, with timestamps to show when the information was last modified.
- Coverage of various Acts, including the Contract Labour Act, the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, and the Meghalaya Shops and Establishments Act.
This dashboard will not only allow the public to track the status of applications but also provide detailed insights into the efficiency of the licensing process.
Categorization of Industries and Establishments
The Government has also addressed the need for better risk assessment and categorization of industries and establishments in Meghalaya. While risk categories have been introduced based on the size of the firm, business location, and the type of investment (foreign or domestic), this categorization is still in its early stages. The state will continue to refine its risk assessment criteria to better manage business operations.
