'These Babus Are The Real Motherf***ers': Pune Flour Mill Owner's Wall Of 'Permission Certificates' Sparks Debate On Ease Of Doing Business In India

Pune: A flour mill tucked away in a Pune neighbourhood became an unlikely representation of the bureaucratic challenges faced by small business owners across the country. The small shop caught the limelight after X user, Niteen S Dharmawat, a registered SEBI researcher, shared an image of the establishment with his followers.

In the picture, the mill owner had meticulously framed and displayed 16 different permission certificates, each one required to start the mill, on the wall. Beside them, was a framed copy of the Constitution of India. “This is the best example of ease of doing business in India," Dharmawat wrote in his tweet, highlighting the irony.

“This has to change big time. Unfortunately, this hasn’t so far," he added.

Have a look at his post here:

This is the best example of ease of doing business in India.

This is a small flour mill (आटा चक्की) in the neighborhood. The owner is a hardworking man. He had to get 16 different permissions to start his shop. It took him considerable time to begin running a simple flour mill.… pic.twitter.com/kLkalURsB9

— Niteen S Dharmawat, CFA (@niteen_india) April 15, 2025

How Many Permissions Are Required to Start a Flour Mill?

While starting a flour mill might appear to be easy, the process is far from simple. According to legal standards and business compliance regulations in India, even the establishment of a small food-processing unit requires a host of licenses and registrations.

Here are the mandatory permissions required:

• Business Registration: This includes the registration under relevant business type, such as proprietorship, partnership, LLP, or Pvt Ltd, etc.

• FSSAI License: This license is mandatory for all food manufacturing units.

• GST Registration: This is required for businesses in compliance with goods and services tax.

• Udyog Aadhaar/MSME Registration: This is required for recognition as a micro/small enterprise.

• Trade and Shop Licenses: This license is issued by the local municipal bodies.

Additional registrations that may be required:

• Pollution Control Board Clearance: This is required if the operations of the business involve dust or emissions.

• BIS Certification: This certificate is required to ensure quality assurance.

• AGMARK Certification: This certificate is significant for the grading of agricultural products.

• IEC Code: This is required if the products are being exported.

• Trademark Registration: This registration is required for brand protection.

Reportedly, sometimes more than a dozen registrations could be needed depending on the scale and type of the unit. Although many of the procedures have gone digital, delays, document requirements, and department overlap still render the experience tiresome for small businessmen.

Netizens Have Mixed Opinion

The X post soon went viral, sparking a flood of reactions. Many users echoed the frustration of dealing with an outdated system still burdened with red tape. "License permit Raj established by early Congress government never went away... the rules came from IAS," a netizen wrote.

“Bureaucracy is the most expensive dangerous organised and authorised mafia," wrote another.

Some users also turned their criticism toward systemic issues. “Blessings for middlemen and consultants, making an 'ease of business' for them to rake in commissions," one user wrote.

“How will it change? Who will pay for election expenses? The voter doesn’t demand governance," another user pointed out.

Have a look at some other reactions here:

Some netizens also pointed out that regulatory requirements exist in developed nations too, questioning the selective outrage against the required permits.