The Government of Manipur on March 20, 2026, has circulated the draft Manipur Governance Reform and Unified Trade Licensing Bill, 2026 for stakeholder comments. The Bill proposes a unified, digital, and self-declaration-based licensing framework to eliminate multiple licenses, ensure ease of doing business, and introduce time-bound approvals with deemed approvals in case of delays.
The draft introduces a single Unified Trade Licensing System with the Directorate of Trade, Commerce & Industry as the nodal agency, mandating all businesses to obtain a unified license. It classifies businesses into low, medium, and high-risk categories, enabling differentiated regulation—such as automatic approval for low-risk businesses and stricter compliance for high-risk sectors. It also emphasizes digital governance through a unified portal, QR-based licenses, risk-based inspections, and integration across departments.
Further, the Bill provides for administrative accountability, penalties for false declarations, and protection against harassment, along with provisions for grievance redressal and appeals. Existing license holders must migrate within one year, and the system aims to reduce regulatory burden while ensuring transparency and compliance.
[Notification No. IP-2/1/2026-TCI-T,C&I-Part(1)]
