The Centre is readying a 23-point template for reforms and deregulation, including some related to land, labour, utilities and permits. The moves are being piloted by a taskforce on deregulation and compliance reduction led by cabinet secretary TV Somanathan. PM Narendra Modi’s call for reforms at the state level, which he flagged during a meeting of chief secretaries, and was subsequently flagged in the Economic Survey. The panel is in addition to the Deregulation Commission, which is in the pipeline, and is seeking to usher in a single window clearance mechanism for companies. The committee of secretaries is looking at procedural changes and greater use of technology to reduce the need to visit govt offices. The validity of permits and licences is proposed to be made longer so that time is not wasted, an officer said. The idea is to provide for self-certification and third-party certification so that it is simpler for businesses,’ said an officer. It is hoped that the plan is to share the best practices many of which are being implemented in some of the states already.