Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on May 29, launched the ‘Simple Governance’ initiative, streamlining 10 essential government services for faster, online processing. The move, spearheaded by the Department of Human Resources Management, is a major step toward making government services accessible “anywhere, anytime.”
Under this initiative, complex procedures have been replaced with self-certification, digital KYC, and online processing. Two high-level committees—a Screening Committee and an Empowered Committee under the Chief Secretary—ensure legal compliance and expedite reforms.
As a first phase, the following 10 services have been simplified:
- Sanitation Certificate: Now issued instantly online with a QR code based on self-certification, reducing processing time from months to a single day.
- Public Buildings License: Validity extended based on building stability certificates, and now obtainable instantly online in one day.
- Old Age Homes, Working Women’s Hostels, and Women’s Homes Registrations: The processes for all the above are now fully digitalised and based on self-certification. License validity is extended from 3 to 10 years, and is issued instantly online in one day.
- Solvency Certificate: This certificate has been abolished, with alternative financial documentation (e.g., bank statements, auditor’s certificates) now accepted.
- Expansion of White Category Industries List: The list of non-polluting industries exempt from TNPCB permits for establishment and operation has expanded from 37 to 609, encouraging industrial growth.
- NOC for Non-Agricultural Use of Dry Lands: The entire process is now end-to-end digital. NOCs will be auto-generated if not processed by officials within 21 days.
- Character Certificate: Now obtainable easily and quickly through online application for individuals, government entities, and private organisations.
- NOC for Government Employees’ Passports: Only a pre-information letter to higher authorities is now required for passport applications.
At the launch, CM Stalin distributed digital certificates to beneficiaries. Dignitaries, including Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin and senior officials from key departments, were present. The state aims to expand this initiative to 150 services in the coming year, ensuring transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused governance.
