Parliament Question: Reform Express and Economic Reforms

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FINANCE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3849 TO BE ANSWERED ON MONDAY, 16 MARCH 2026 / PHALGUNA 25, 1947 (Saka) Reform Express and Economic Reforms 3849. Shri Eatala Rajender: Will the Minister of FINANCE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government under the “Reform Express” initiative has undertaken comprehensive economic reforms towards employment, boosting productivity and accelerating growth including the rollout of over 350 reforms such as simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and whether the Union Government is working in coordination with State Governments on deregulation and reduction of compliance requirements; and (b) if so, the details thereof including the present status along with the total amount of funds sanctioned, released and spent under the said initiative? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY) (a) and (b): The Government has undertaken a wide range of structural and regulatory reforms aimed at boosting productivity, generating employment and accelerating economic growth. The Union Budget 2026-27 refers to the continuation of this reform momentum as the ‘Reform Express’, reflecting the rollout of over 350 reforms, including simplification of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), implementation of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, implementation of the Labour Codes, rationalisation of mandatory Quality Control Orders, increased use of digital processes for regulatory approvals and other measures to improve the business and investment environment.The Government is also working in coordination with State Governments to promote deregulation, streamline approvals and reduce compliance requirements across sectors. A Task Force under the Cabinet Secretary has identified 23 priority areas for reducing compliance burdens and promoting deregulation at the State level. According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, about 76 per cent of the targeted State-level reform actions have been completed, and 10 per cent are under implementation, in coordination with concerned Ministries/Departments and State Governments (as on 23 January 2026). While some reform initiatives involve budgetary allocations, reflected in Ministry-wise Budget Estimates and actual expenditures, a number of reforms are regulatory and procedural in nature—such as the repeal of obsolete laws, reduction in compliance requirements, and decriminalisation of minor economic offences—and therefore, do not entail any direct financial outlay. *****