For a Smarter, Not Smaller, Govt

Deregulation has become a new buzzword that one hears often these days with the coming in of the department of government efficiency in the US and Javier Milei in Argentina.

- AASHEERWAD DWIVEDI

Deregulation has become a new buzzword that one hears often these days with the coming in of the department of government efficiency in the US and Javier Milei in Argentina. In the Indian context, it has been mentioned in the Economic Survey. The term conjures images of slashed budgets, closed offices and a freeze on hiring. For many, it's synonymous with shrinking the state.

But this narrow view misses the more nuanced purpose of deregulation—which is enhancing the efficiency of government. And that isn't always about firing people or slashing budgets and regulations. In many cases, it's about hiring the appropriate manpower, be it for capacity or to rethink processes. A key aspect driving these decisions is ensuring that taxpayer money delivers real value.

At its core, deregulation seeks to strip away unnecessary rules and red tape that bog down government efficiency. The goal isn't simply a smaller government—it's a smarter and more efficient one. It's an enabler of economic activity.