Delhi govt claims credit for India's improved ranking on World Bank's 'ease of doing business' index

New Delhi: The AAP government on Wednesday claimed that the steps taken by it in Delhi have played a “vital role in improving India’s ranking on the World Bank’s ’ease of doing business’ index. Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia also took a jibe a the Centre, asking it “not to hamper” his government’s work for one year on an “experimental basis” which will result in the improvement of India’s ranking worldwide in other sectors like education and health. [caption id=“attachment_3854561” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. PTI[/caption] “It is a proud moment for us that country has improved 3 ranks to 100th in ’ease of doing business’ in World Bank’ report. Delhi has played a vital role in this,” he told reporters. Sisodia said since the Aam Aadmi Party government was formed, doing business has been “easier” in the city wit introduction of several initiatives including online industry licence and eradication of “inspector-raj”. “In the last two years, doing business has been easier in Delhi. Getting an industry licence has been simple with online facility. Applicants can get the licence within a day, Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, said. The deputy chief minister said the AAP government has introduced a single-window system in several sectors, adding that earlier tourism department’s inspectors used to make a visit for restaurant licence which has been ended. “If the Delhi government works, there is eradication o inspector-raj, progress in business…If Delhi government works, you (Centre) get the credit and the name of the country will shine,” he said. Sisodia also asked the Centre not to “waste the time” o the ED and the CBI “for unwarranted works”. “There are several areas where these agencies should d work. Don’t trouble officers again and again. If they (Centre allow us to work, the credit of the good work by Delhi in health, education will go to them (the Centre),” he said. The Arvind Kejriwal government and the Centre have bee at loggerheads on a range of issues including transfer an posting of officers and city administration’s proposals. In the past, Kejriwal has also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused the BJP-led government at the centre of creating “hurdles” in the works of AAP government.