New Delhi, Jul 2 (IANS): The Delhi government on Thursday formed a 12-member expert committee to explore economic reform measures to help businesses recover from the impact of Covid-19.

The committee will do a comprehensive analysis and make suggestions regarding the measures which should be initiated by various departments, autonomous bodies, local bodies and MCDs to help people and the businesses.

Vice-Chairperson of Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi (DDC), Jasmine Shah will head this committee.

Other members of the committee are commissioners of the labour department and industries department, SDMC, special secretary of the environment department, and representatives of various industries including trade, manufacturing, automobile, finance, and hospitality, among others.

"Through this Committee, we look forward to collaborating with key industry representatives and identifying specific additional measures that government agencies can take to shorten the process of economic recovery," Jasmine Shah said.

The order passed by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority regarding the formation of this committee noted: "The committee shall explore reform measures that will improve ease of doing business in Delhi and shorten the process of economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19."

The order further noted: "The committee shall explore the possibility of renewal or automatic extension of existing licenses issued by the various department and local bodies which stand expired after March 1, 2020, by a general order till March 31, 2021, without penalty or interest."

The exception will be in categories such as excise, pollution control, fire where safety or revenue-related issues are involved. While doing so, the interests of labour should be protected, it added.

"The committee shall explore the requirement or necessity of new licenses or NOCs issued by the various departments to identify the licenses which can be abolished or replaced with only prior intimation," noted the order.

This committee will also explore provisions of online license issuing systems or doorstep delivery of licensing systems. The key focus of the committee will be exploring economic reform measures that have the potential for revenue mobilisation for the Delhi government.

"The committee should explore international best practices that mega-cities and countries around the world are taking to enable economic recovery form Covid-19. The committee shall also examine and suggest penalties or fines or interest imposed on public or business due to Covid-19 pandemic, which can be waived off to remove undue financial hardship," the order stated.

This expert committee might also take up any other issues and suggest innovative measures to help people and businesses in distress.