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Ministries to decide on FDI proposals within 60 days – Finance Ministry

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Union Finance Ministry has said that the ministries tasked with clearing foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals in the 12 sectors that need government approval would have to take a decision within 60 days.

Background Information:

With an objective to enhance ease of doing business and to promote the principle of Maximum Governance and Minimum Government, Union Cabinet had recently approved the abolition of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), which was in charge of clearing foreign direct investment (FDI) proposals since 25 years.

Mechanism that will replace FIPB:

  • A memorandum by Finance Ministry has stated that Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), in consultation with the administrative ministries, would frame standard operating procedures to process FDI
  • These operating procedures will be framed by maintaining consistency of treatment and uniformity of approach.Ordinance makes way for Insurance FDI hike and Coal Auction
  • All pending applications with the FIPB will be transferred to administrative ministries within four weeks time.
  • All pending proposals will be reviewed quarterly by a panel led by the secretaries of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
  • Portal of FIPB will now be handled by DIPP.
  • If FDI application cannot be clearly ascribed to an administrative ministry, DIPP will take a decision to identify the same.

Sectors/Business and FDI Approving Authority:

Sector/BusinessFDI Approving Authority
MiningMines Ministry
DefenceDepartment of Production, Defence ministry
Cases relating to FDI in small armsHome Affairs Ministry
BroadcastingInformation and Broadcasting Ministry
Print MediaInformation and Broadcasting Ministry
Civil AviationCivil Aviation Ministry
SatellitesSpace Department
TelecomTelecommunications Department, Communications Ministry
Trading (Single brand and food products retail trading)Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Commerce and Industry Ministry
Financial Services not regulated by a regulator or where there is more than one regulator or in respect of which there is a doubt about the regulatorEconomic affairs department, Finance Ministry
Banking (Private & Public)Financial Services Department, Finance Ministry
PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals Department, Chemicals and Fertilisers Ministry