PM takes stock of progress in deregulation, reforms, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently interacted with all Central Secretaries to review progress on deregulation and other reforms.
• The interaction focused on enhancing Ease of Doing Business, Ease of Living, and promoting Atmanirbharta (self-reliance).
• The meeting, held at Seva Teerth, lasted nearly four hours, with secretaries outlining ministerial efforts and future strategies.
• The Prime Minister emphasized a whole-of-government approach and breaking departmental silos to ensure tangible impact of schemes.
• Two key committees, the High-Level Committee on Non-Financial Regulatory Reforms (HLC-NFRR) chaired by Rajiv Gauba and the Task Force on Compliance Reduction and Deregulation led by KK Pathak, are actively pushing these reforms.

Detailed Insights:

• The interaction was the second such engagement between the Prime Minister and secretaries in less than two months, highlighting the government's focus on administrative reforms.
• Secretaries were given three minutes each to present their achievements and future plans regarding the deregulation and reform agenda.
• The HLC-NFRR, constituted on August 19, 2025, aims to create a modern, flexible, and trust-based regulatory framework for the 21st century.
• This committee reviews existing non-financial sector regulations, certifications, licenses, and permissions to simplify processes.
• The Task Force on Compliance Reduction and Deregulation also works towards streamlining regulations and reducing compliance burdens.
• Efforts are underway to push deregulation and reforms not only at the Central level but also across various states.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Deregulation: The process of removing or reducing state regulations, typically in the economic sphere.
• Ease of Doing Business: An index created by the World Bank Group measuring regulations that enhance or constrain business activity.
• Ease of Living: A concept focusing on improving the quality of life for citizens through better governance, services, and opportunities.
• Atmanirbharta: A policy vision for self-reliance, aiming to make India a bigger and more important part of the global economy.
• Whole-of-Government Approach: A collaborative approach where multiple government agencies work together to achieve a common goal.