#Title LG puts Delhi departments on deadline to cut red tape Taranjit Singh Sandhu says reforms must translate into faster approvals, fewer office visits

Purna Singh New Delhi

Delhi’sdrive to cut red tape has entered a deadline-driven phase, with Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu directing departments to speed up pending reforms and ensure their benefits are felt by citizens and businesses.

Reviewing the deregulation and compliance reform exercise on Friday, Sandhu said success should not be measured merely by the number of “priority areas” marked completed on government portals. The real test, he said, was whether traders face fewer forms, entrepreneurs make fewer visits to government offices and citizens get faster approvals.

The meeting, following the previous review on July 29, was attended by Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, the MCD Commissioner, DDA Vice Chairman and senior officials from the Education, Urban Development, Tourism and Health departments.

Sandhu directed departments to formally notify pending reforms at the earliest instead of allowing them to remain confined to files and inter-departmental correspondence.

The review came a day after the unveiling of the Master Plan for Delhi-2047, which officials said has paved the way for completing the remaining Phase-I reforms.

Of 23 priority areas under Phase-I, 13 have been implemented, four have become redundant following the new labour codes and six remain pending. These include flexible zoning norms, road-width requirements for rural industries, changes in building regulations and third-party building approvals and inspections.

Phase-II has also gathered momentum. Seven priority reforms had been fully implemented by August 20, including removal of duplicate MCD trade licences, permanent registration for shops and commercial establishments and electricity connections of up to 200 kW without physical inspection.

Another 18 reforms are at advanced stages.

The Delhi Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, revised following Cabinet directions, is expected to come before the Cabinet soon. The Delhi Right of Citizens to Time-Bound Delivery of Services Bill, 2026, has already been passed by the Assembly and awaits final notification.