Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill Introduced In Lok Sabha

31 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Bill envisages a shift from criminal penalties for minor, technical or procedural defaults to civil and administrative enforcement, replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties or warnings and introducing graded enforcement. It provides for appointment of Adjudicating Officers and establishment of Appellate Authorities to enable time bound and efficient disposal of cases. The measures are intended to reduce the litigation burden on courts while maintaining principles of natural justice.

The Bill includes amendments under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 aimed at simplifying procedures and improving citizen convenience in municipal taxation and vehicle compliance. The reforms follow a consultative process involving inter ministerial committees, a High Level Committee under NITI Aayog, industry associations and civil society organisations. The Select Committee on the earlier Bill held 49 sittings and examined inputs from Ministries and external experts.

The measure builds on earlier reforms including the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 which decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries. A Bill introduced in August 2025 proposed amendments to 355 provisions across 16 Acts and was referred to a Select Committee, which submitted its report to the Lok Sabha on 13 March 2026 and recommended decriminalisation across 62 additional Central Acts. The 2025 Bill was withdrawn and the 2026 Bill was introduced to modernise the regulatory framework, enhance compliance and promote investment.

The Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha after Union Cabinet approval. The Bill proposes amendment of 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries, decriminalisation of 717 provisions to promote Ease of Doing Business and amendment of 67 provisions to facilitate Ease of Living. It seeks rationalisation of over 1000 offences by removing outdated and redundant provisions to improve the regulatory environment. The Bill envisages a shift from criminal penalties for minor, technical or procedural defaults to civil and administrative enforcement, replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties or warnings and introducing graded enforcement. It provides for appointment of Adjudicating Officers and establishment of Appellate Authorities to enable time bound and efficient disposal of cases. The measures are intended to reduce the litigation burden on courts while maintaining principles of natural justice. The Bill includes amendments under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 aimed at simplifying procedures and improving citizen convenience in municipal taxation and vehicle compliance. The reforms follow a consultative process involving inter ministerial committees, a High Level Committee under NITI Aayog, industry associations and civil society organisations. The Select Committee on the earlier Bill held 49 sittings and examined inputs from Ministries and external experts. The measure builds on earlier reforms including the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 which decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries. A Bill introduced in August 2025 proposed amendments to 355 provisions across 16 Acts and was referred to a Select Committee, which submitted its report to the Lok Sabha on 13 March 2026 and recommended decriminalisation across 62 additional Central Acts. The 2025 Bill was withdrawn and the 2026 Bill was introduced to modernise the regulatory framework, enhance compliance and promote investment.

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