Delhi pushes major deregulation drive
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Friday reviewed the progress of the Capital’s deregulation exercise aimed at improving ease of doing business and ease of living, while directing officials to complete all pending priority reforms identified by the Centre before June 30, 2026.
Chairing a high-level meeting with senior Delhi Government officials, the Lieutenant Governor said the administration was working to create a governance system in which businesses and citizens face fewer regulatory hurdles and faster approvals.
Sandhu said Delhi had improved its position in the 2025 LEADS rankings among Union Territories, moving from the “Achievers” category to the higher “Exemplar” category. The LEADS ranking, prepared by the Government of India, evaluates States and Union Territories on logistics performance, business reforms, and infrastructure development.
The Lieutenant Governor said the Government’s focus was now on creating a “Permitted Until Prohibited” framework by reducing outdated regulations and simplifying governance structures. Officials familiar with the discussions said the administration is trying to shift from excessive controls towards a system that allows smoother functioning for businesses unless specific restrictions are required.
During the meeting, Sandhu reviewed the progress of the proposed Omnibus Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, which is being prepared to simplify approvals and reduce compliance requirements across departments. Officials said the proposed legislation is expected to streamline several administrative procedures and make interactions between businesses and Government departments more transparent and time-efficient.
The Lieutenant Governor, however, stressed that deregulation should not dilute quality standards or compromise public safety. He directed departments to ensure that simplification measures continue alongside proper regulatory oversight. According to officials, the government is examining multiple areas where long-standing procedural barriers can be removed without affecting accountability or service delivery.
The Lieutenant Governor told officials that every reform exercise must produce visible improvements in governance and public services rather than remaining limited to paperwork or administrative restructuring.
Senior officials present at the meeting reviewed ongoing reforms linked to licensing systems, approvals, compliance procedures, and inter-departmental coordination. Discussions also focused on measures to improve service delivery for both businesses and ordinary residents.
Sandhu directed officers to ensure that all remaining reform targets identified by the Government of India are implemented within the fixed timeline ending June 30. Officials said departments have been asked to speed up work on pending reforms and improve coordination to avoid delays in implementation.
The Lieutenant Governor also underlined the importance of balancing administrative efficiency with public welfare. He said governance reforms should create a system that is both citizen-friendly and capable of maintaining high standards in service delivery.
