Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Delhi Lieutenant Governor Sets Deadline to Accelerate Red-Tape Reforms
Delhi’s government is trying to make official work faster and simpler.
Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu told departments to finish delayed reforms quickly.
He said success should mean fewer forms for traders and fewer government-office visits for businesses.
Citizens should also receive approvals faster.
In the first phase, 13 of 23 important reforms are complete.
Four reforms are no longer needed because of new labour codes.
Six reforms are still waiting, including changes to building rules and zoning.
A second phase is also progressing, with seven reforms complete and 18 more nearly finished.
New bills are being prepared or awaiting notification to support these changes.
Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu ordered Delhi departments to speed up pending deregulation and compliance reforms.
Sandhu said reforms should reduce paperwork, office visits and approval times for traders, businesses and citizens.
Of 23 Phase-I priority areas, 13 are implemented, four are redundant and six remain pending.
Seven Phase-II reforms were fully implemented by August 20, while 18 others were at advanced stages.
Two proposed bills would address ease of doing business and time-bound delivery of public services.
- Who
- Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Chief Secretary and senior officials from several Delhi departments and agencies.
- What
- Departments were directed to complete and formally notify pending deregulation and compliance reforms.
- When
- The review was held on a Friday after a previous review on July 29; Phase-II progress was measured through August 20.
- Where
- New Delhi, across Delhi government departments and agencies.
- Why
- To reduce paperwork, government-office visits and approval delays for citizens, traders and businesses.
- Phase-I reforms
- 13 of 23 priority areas implemented; four became redundant and six remain pending.
- Pending Phase-I areas
- Flexible zoning, rural-industry road-width requirements, building-regulation changes, and third-party building approvals and inspections are among the pending reforms.
- Phase-II progress
- Seven priority reforms were fully implemented by August 20, with 18 more at advanced stages.
- Completed measures
- Phase-II measures include removing duplicate MCD trade licences, permanent registration for shops and commercial establishments, and electricity connections up to 200 kW without physical inspection.
- Ease of Doing Business Bill
- The Delhi Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, was revised following Cabinet directions and is expected to go before the Cabinet.
- Time-bound services bill
- The Delhi Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Services Bill, 2026, has passed the Assembly and awaits final notification.
- Policy context
- The review followed the unveiling of the Master Plan for Delhi-2047, which officials said enabled completion of remaining Phase-I reforms.