Piyush Goyal Introduces Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2025 In Parliament

(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Aug 19 (KNN) Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, following its approval by the Union Cabinet, on Monday.

The Minister has requested that the Speaker refer the legislation to a Select Committee, whose members will be appointed by the Speaker. The Committee is expected to submit its report by the first day of the next parliamentary session.

The proposed legislation builds upon the foundation established by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, which represented the first comprehensive attempt to systematically decriminalise minor offenses across multiple legislative frameworks.

The 2023 Act, which was notified on August 11, 2023, successfully decriminalised 183 provisions across 42 Central Acts administered by 19 different ministries and departments.

The 2025 Bill significantly expands this reform initiative by targeting 16 Central Acts under the jurisdiction of 10 ministries and departments.

The legislation proposes amendments to 355 provisions in total, with 288 provisions designated for decriminalisation to enhance ease of doing business, while 67 provisions are slated for modification to improve ease of living for citizens.

Among the amendments designed to facilitate ease of living, the Bill proposes 67 specific changes under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

These modifications are intended to streamline regulatory processes and reduce bureaucratic impediments for ordinary citizens.

The legislation introduces several key reforms to India's regulatory framework. For first-time contraventions, the Bill provides for advisory notices or warnings for 76 offenses across 10 different Acts, replacing punitive measures with corrective guidance.

The decriminalisation component focuses on replacing imprisonment clauses for minor, technical, or procedural violations with monetary penalties or warning systems.

The Bill also addresses penalty rationalisation by introducing proportionate sanctions and implementing graduated penalties for repeat offenses.

To reduce the burden on the judicial system, designated administrative officers will be empowered to impose penalties through streamlined administrative processes rather than requiring court proceedings.

In a notable provision for long-term effectiveness, the legislation includes an automatic 10 percent increase in fines and penalties every three years, designed to maintain deterrent value without requiring frequent legislative amendments.

Four pieces of legislation that were previously addressed in the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 are proposed for additional decriminalisation under the current Bill.

These include the Tea Act, 1953, the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Government officials have characterised the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 as a significant advancement in India's ongoing regulatory reform program.

The legislation aligns with the administration's stated policy objective of achieving 'Minimum Government, Maximum Governance' and is expected to contribute to sustainable economic growth while improving the overall business environment in the country.

(KNN Bureau)

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