The Centre has decided to make e-filing of companies' annual returns with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) mandatory from September 15 this year, Union Minister for Company Affairs Premchand Gupta said on Sunday.

Rolling out the MCA-21 for the West Bengal Registry here, Gupta said the companies would have the option to file their returns through the paper mode within September 15. However, e-filing would be made online after that period, he said.

MCA-21 is a part of government's National e-governance Plan by which companies would be able to file their documents through the electronic mode.

This programme was being executed by the ministry in partnership with Tata Consultancy Services based on the public private partnership model.

West Bengal was the 19th registry where MCA-21 was launched. The next roll out would be made in Jammu but it was being delayed due to connectivity problem.

The total cost incurred for implementing the programme was Rs 350 crore.

The joint secretary with the Ministry of Company Affairs Y S Malik said the programme would bring speed, transparency and efficiency in the delivery of the services rendered by the ministry to all the stake holders.

He said the government would give special training to staff working in the department so that they become computer savvy.

On other issues, Gupta said the government was trying to bring more reforms.

As a first step, it had been decided to give more autonomy to the three professional institutes -- ICSI, ICAI and ICWAI.

He also said the limited liability partnership bill would be introduced in the winter session of the Parliament.

Gupta said the ministry would also set up facilitation centres at Salt Lake, Falta SEZ and Siliguri in the state.