Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 Introduced in Lok Sabha
Analysis:
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 builds upon the earlier 2023 Act and represents a major step in India’s regulatory reform, aimed at enhancing Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
The Bill proposes amendments across 16 Central Acts administered by 10 Ministries/Departments, targeting a total of 355 provisions:
288 provisions decriminalised to reduce procedural and technical penalties.
67 provisions amended to facilitate citizen-centric services and regulatory simplification.
Key Features:
First-time contraventions – Advisory or warning issued for 76 offences under 10 Acts.
Decriminalisation – Minor procedural defaults no longer attract imprisonment; replaced by monetary penalties or warnings.
Rationalisation of penalties – Graduated fines for repeated offences; penalties proportionate to the gravity of the contravention.
Automatic revision of fines – Every three years, fines increase by 10% to maintain deterrence without legislative intervention.
Specific Acts targetedfor further decriminalisation include:
Tea Act, 1953
Legal Metrology Act, 2009
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
Amendments under NDMC Act, 1994 and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 aim to improve citizen convenience and urban governance.
The Bill was introduced by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal in Lok Sabha and is proposed to be referred to a Select Committee for detailed scrutiny.
Overall, the Bill aligns with the government’s philosophy of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance” and is expected to streamline regulatory compliance, reduce litigation, and promote sustainable economic growth.
Static/Contextual Information:
Earlier Legislation: Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts.
Objective: Simplification of regulatory framework, easing business operations, and citizen-centric governance.