Flag pending deregulation issues, Cabinet Secretariat tells states

The Cabinet Secretariat has asked state governments to flag any pending issues they face with central government departments in connection with its ongoing deregulation exercise, multiple senior government officials said, ahead of a meeting of chief secretaries later this month to review the reforms.

- DEEPAK PATEL

The Cabinet Secretariat last month started the second phase of the deregulation exercise to enhance ease of doing business across 23 priority areas, or PAs, related to "land use, building and construction, utilities and permissions, labour, environment, education, health and overarching priorities", a senior government official stated.

The first phase comprised 23 PAs pertaining to simplifying land and building regulations, streamlining business approvals, modernising labour and employment norms, enhancing digital delivery of government services, and expanding the use of third-party certifications and inspections. Since the first phase is largely complete, the Secretariat has started the second phase of deregulation, the official mentioned.

Bringing any issues pending with Central government departments would help in their resolution, the official said.

‘The push for resolution comes after Cabinet Secretary T V Somanathan held a meeting with chief secretaries of all state governments on the deregulation exercise on November 14. At the meeting, states were urged to ensure “maximum implementation” of the phase-1 PAs before the second half of December.

"In the second half of December, a national conference of all chief secretaries is expected to be held. The states have been asked to do 'maximum implementation' before this meeting," a second government official told Business Standard. State governments have submitted their action plans for the phase-1 PAS, including milestones and timelines for each. They have been asked to conduct "regular monitoring" of these milestones and timelines.