New Delhi: India’s World Bank world ranking on ‘Ease of Doing Business’ has improved from 142 to 130 now, the government said in Rajya Sabha.

“Out of 189 countries, India had ranked 142, it has now improved to 130. We wish it improves even further,” Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said during Question Hour.

Asked why India was so poorly ranked by the World Bank, she said “the rank of India being placed at the rank of 142 refers to the period 2014 before this new government has come into place. Post that, our ranking has improved and we have reached 130.” To a question on why Indian states were also being ranked by the World Bank, she said the action of ease of doing business happens in states and they contribute to the country’s overall ranking. Sitharaman said in December 2014, 98 criterion for ranking Indian states were identified to improve their rankings, after which 340 indices have been identified and agreed upon. “We are only working together with World Bank along with an independent agency in ranking Indian States. The World Bank is only giving us technical consultation together with an independent consultant who works with the government in this regard,” she said. The Minister also said no labour law provisions have been eased while improving India’s position to improve its world ranking on ‘Ease of Doing Business’. She refuted suggestions that labour laws were being compromised, saying “existing laws on labour welfare are being protected and labour interests are being well taken care of”. In a written reply, the Minister said “a state level business reform action plan consisting of 340 points has been prepared by DIPP in consultation with the states/Union Territories and shared with all state governments/UT Administrations for implementation.” An online portal for ‘State Level Business Reform Action Plan’ developed by DIPP was also launched on April 8 to track implementation of reforms on real-time basis. — PTI