Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025
The Union Commerce and Industry Minister has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, in the Lok Sabha. This initiative aims to enhance both the ease of doing business and the ease of living in India.
Key Features of the Bill
- Amendments to Provisions:
- Proposes amendments to 355 provisions under 16 central laws administered by 10 ministries and departments.
- 288 provisions will be decriminalized to promote ease of doing business.
- 67 provisions will be amended to support ease of living.
- Focus on Civil Penalties: The bill shifts focus from criminal prosecutions for minor or unintentional violations to civil penalties.
- Automatic Penalty Increase: Fines and penalties will rise automatically by 10% every three years to maintain effectiveness without new legislative amendments.
- Advisory for First-Time Offenders:
- First-time offenders for 76 minor infractions listed under 10 different laws will receive a warning or advisory instead of harsher penalties.
- Small paperwork errors will attract penalties or warnings rather than jail terms.
- Role of Government Officers: Penalties will be imposed by government officers through administrative processes rather than courts.
Background and Context
- This bill follows the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which was the first consolidated legislation to decriminalize minor offenses across various laws.
- The 2023 Act had decriminalized 183 provisions across 42 central acts administered by 19 ministries and departments.
- The new bill aims to further reduce unnecessary imprisonment and prevent the imposition of low fines that create fear and distrust in the system.
Specific Laws Affected
- The Tea Act, 1953
- The Legal Metrology Act, 2009
- The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
- The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
The bill is seen as a milestone in India's regulatory reform journey, reflecting the government's commitment to minimum government and maximum governance, and is expected to catalyze sustainable economic growth and improve the ease of doing business.
