Centre Readies 23-Point Reform Template To Streamline Business, Empower States With Deregulation Push

In a significant move to reduce regulatory burdens and enhance the ease of doing business, the Centre is preparing a sweeping 23-point reform and deregulation template focused on simplifying operations for businesses across India, according to a report by Economic Times.

The plan covers land, labour, utilities, and permits, and is being steered by a task force led by Cabinet Secretary TV Somanathan.

This effort follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for robust state-level reforms, emphasised during a recent chief secretaries' meet and prominently echoed in the Economic Survey.

The reform blueprint is distinct from the forthcoming Deregulation Commission and prioritises procedural streamlining. It includes a single-window clearance system, fewer inspections, and easier issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs).

“The idea is to provide for self-certification and third-party certification so that it is simpler for businesses,” said an official familiar with the discussions.

Key proposals involve extending the validity of permits and licences to save time, encouraging self- and third-party certification for compliance, and embracing digital technology to reduce physical interface with government offices.

Land regulations—a longstanding pain point for investors—are set for overhauls, with reforms to ease land-use modifications and bring greater transparency in floor area ratio (FAR) adjustments.

The task force is also working on using GIS tools to map industrial land-use for improved planning.

On the labour front, flexibility in daily working hours within the legally mandated 48-hour work week is being proposed. The plan also includes measures to make workplaces more accessible and supportive for women through flexible arrangements and enhanced conditions.

Several of these reforms have already been trialled at the state level, and the Centre now aims to replicate and scale best practices nationwide, further boosting investor confidence and accelerating India’s economic momentum.