"There is a draft Cabinet note proposing it (NIB). Some ministries have opposed it. It is going through some official method of resolving those issues. My hope is that it will come to the Cabinet soon. Soon means week or may be two weeks," Ahluwalia said at ET Awards function here.
Speaking at the same function, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: "One of the major negative features of the present situation is that a large number of infrastructure projects are stuck because of the delay in granting various clearances and non-transparency in determining the conditions under which clearances can be given. We are looking at ways to speed up clearance processes and making them more transparent."
Supporting the proposal to set up NIB, Ahluwalia said, "We need an overarching mechanism. We categorically feel that the present system is dysfunctional. Finance Minister has suggested a specific way of doing that (by setting up NIB)".
"I do think that we should definitely do it. If you want opinion, I think it should be done. I cannot second guess what Cabinet will do but we will know it in two or three weeks time," he added
As per the plan, the NIB would be headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. A Cabinet note in this regard has already been circulated to ministries concerned. However, Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan had raised objections to the NIB proposal.
In a letter to the Prime Minister, she had said the manner in which changes have been sought on the issue of granting project approvals was disturbing and wondered why NIB should step in when decisions like green clearances have to be given by her Ministry.
On allegations of policy logjam, he said, "I think the term 'policy paralysis' has become common parlance...It exists in other countries". According to Ahluwalia it is happening because of coalition government is trying hard to get consensus on policy.
