EEMA Efforts Achieve Fruition as Maharashtra to Get Online Single Window License for Events

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | August 24, 2018 | Feature

EEMA Sabbas Joseph

Speaking to a leading daily Vijay Kumar Gautam, Principal Secretary, Tourism Maharashtra recently revealed that the organizers of LIVE Events, film festivals, and exhibitions will soon have a dedicated on-line portal for all the permissions in the state of Maharashtra.

The single window licensing system in the state is expected to be launched in the next two months but it is reported that the process of giving permissions for events has already started with the recently announced Cirque de Soleil which is said to be the first project under the Visit Maharashtra initiative.

This news comes across as a major victory for the Event and Entertainment Management Association (EEMA) which for long has been advocating for the same under the leadership of its previous president Sabbas Joseph.

Speaking on the announcement, Sabbas Joseph, Former President, EEMA commented, “The Maharashtra government agreeing to pursue the single window clearance which would be available online would go a long way in easing out the events business opportunity. This single step will go a long way in providing the live events and experiences industry a major boost. It will provide speed of operations and confirmations, removal of red tape and licensing agents, and create a collaborative environment for event managers to work with governments and venues.”

He added, “At EEMA we’ve believed in Ease of Doing Business and have pursued this initiative for the past three years with the help of the state government, FICCI and CII and policy makers. The Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been a champion for the single window clearance and on behalf of EEMA and the entertainment industry one can only be grateful for the results.”

Sushma Gaikwad, Former VP, EEMA West who was one of the leaders of the EEMA representation with the Maharashtra government shared, “Working on the online single window clearance has been an enriching experience. This initiative is sure to drive ease of business in the event sector and increase opportunities for our industry. It has been an honor to work on the detailing on behalf of the industry and as a representative of EEMA.”