In a significant move highlighting cooperative federalism, Tripura has solidified its status as a national frontrunner in deregulation by conducting a high-level knowledge sharing session with the government of Bihar. A delegation from the northeastern state, led by Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, visited Patna for a one-day 'Knowledge Transfer and Experience Sharing Session'.
Tripura's National Leadership in Deregulation
The session served as a platform for Tripura to present its proven strategies and successful execution of key governance reforms. Tripura has distinguished itself as the first state in India to fully implement all 23 priority areas identified in phase-I of the compliance reduction and deregulation initiative. This remarkable achievement has earned the state national recognition, placing it alongside Odisha and Uttar Pradesh as a leader in the Deregulation 1.0 initiative.
The delegation included key officials instrumental in Tripura's reform journey: Kiran Gitte, Secretary of Good Governance and Industries; Abhishek Singh, Secretary of Home and Urban Development; senior officials from the industries department; and members of the state's single window clearance team.
Showcasing the SWAAGAT Digital Backbone
During the discussions, Tripura's team detailed its comprehensive frameworks for compliance reduction, deregulation, and the Business Reforms Action Plan (BRAP). A major focus was on the critical integration of policy-level coordination with effective departmental execution. The cornerstone of this presentation was the role of digital governance, specifically the SWAAGAT (Single Window Application for Approval and Grievance Redressal of Tripura) portal.
The SWAAGAT portal is hailed as the backbone of Tripura's reform ecosystem. It facilitates online approvals, streamlines inter-departmental workflows, significantly reduces regulatory burdens on businesses, and ensures transparency and timely service delivery. This digital platform has received national acclaim as a best practice in e-Governance. Notably, a startup played a pivotal role in its development and ongoing maintenance.
Cross-State Collaboration and Future Implications
The knowledge exchange went beyond mere presentation, venturing into practical collaboration. The possibility of transferring the SWAAGAT technology to Bihar was actively discussed. This underscores a growing trend of collaboration between Indian states in sharing digital public infrastructure (DPI) for common good.
This initiative stands as a prime example of cooperative federalism in action, where high-performing states share effective models, technological solutions, and best practices with their counterparts. Such exchanges accelerate nationwide administrative reforms, improve the ease of doing business across India, and foster a unified approach to governance challenges. The session marks a proactive step in bridging regional expertise gaps and replicating success stories for holistic national development.
