CII reform roadmap: Industry body pitches GST, trade and labour changes; push seen critical for ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision

Industry body CII has unveiled a sweeping reform blueprint aimed at accelerating India’s economic transformation, calling for a simplified GST structure, rationalised tariffs, new employment policies, and greater trade competitiveness.The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in its report “Policies for a Competitive India”, has put forward over 250 actionable recommendations across 14 critical areas. The proposals include bringing petroleum and real estate under GST, framing a national employment and gig economy policy, and modernising statistical systems, PTI reported.CII President Rajiv Memani said, “These recommendations are closely aligned with the government’s reform trajectory and are in support of the Prime Minister’s call for bold and transformative change. As a live document, Policies for a Competitive India will continue to evolve, bringing fresh ideas to support policymakers.”The roadmap covers fiscal prudence, inflation management, privatisation of non-strategic PSEs, creation of a sovereign wealth fund, and second-generation reforms under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). It also proposes streamlined labour codes, a national minimum wage framework, and fast-track dispute resolution.On the energy front, CII has sought competitive tariffs, removal of cross-subsidies, stronger transmission networks, private participation in nuclear power, and a green hydrogen strategy. Recommendations also include expansion of commercial courts and arbitration councils to speed up dispute resolution.Sanjiv Bajaj, Past President of CII and Chairman of the Task Force on Reciprocal Tariffs, noted, “As India moves rapidly towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy, it must now add greater pace and depth to this reform agenda to be globally competitive. With Free Trade Agreements opening new opportunities and India’s economic engagements expanding worldwide, Indian industry must be prepared to compete with the best.”Other proposals include a dedicated e-commerce export strategy, capital support for manufacturing, development of industrial corridors, freight connectivity, phased compliance for MSMEs, and integration of climate adaptation into industry policy.CII said the combined effect of these measures would boost growth, job creation, resilience and sustainability, “positioning India to achieve its goal of Viksit Bharat and global leadership.”