Context
· Recently, the Lok Sabha passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, a successor to the 2023 Act, aiming to decriminalize over 700 provisions across 79 Central Acts. By replacing minor criminal punishments with civil penalties, the Bill seeks to reduce judicial burden and foster trust-based governance.
· Union Minister Piyush Goyal noted that the reform shifts from colonial-era “punishment-centric” laws to a “justice-oriented” framework, specifically benefiting MSMEs and entrepreneurs by enhancing the ease of doing business.
1. Scope and Objective
- Total Amendments: The Bill proposes to amend 784 provisions spanning across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 different Ministries.
- Primary Goal: It aims to bolster the “Ease of Doing Business” and “Ease of Living” by decriminalizing minor, technical, and procedural defaults that do not involve any threat to national security or public interest.
- Decriminalization Stats: Out of the proposed changes, 717 provisions are specifically being decriminalized, while 67 provisions are being amended to simplify daily living for citizens.
2. Key Features of the Reform
- Replacement of Imprisonment: For several minor offences under laws like the Motor Vehicles Act (1988) and the Electricity Act (2003), the Bill replaces jail terms with monetary penalties.
- Adjudication Mechanism: To reduce the load on the judiciary, the Government will appoint Adjudicating Officers to determine penalties through administrative inquiries rather than court trials.
- Appellate Authority: A structured grievance redressal system is introduced where individuals can appeal to the decisions of Adjudicating Officers to a higher administrative authority.
- Graduated Penalties: The Bill introduces the concept of warnings or improvement notices for first-time offenders in specific categories, moving to monetary fines only for repeat violations.
- Periodic Revision: To ensure the penalties remain effective in deterrents, the Bill mandates a 10% increase in the minimum amount of fines and penalties every three years.
3. Major Acts Targeted
The Bill covers a wide array of sectors, including but not limited to:
- Environment & Forests: Indian Forest Act (1927), Environment (Protection) Act (1986).
- Media & Tech: Information Technology Act (2000), Press and Registration of Books Act.
- Trade & Industry: Patents Act (1970), Copyright Act (1957), Trade Marks Act (1999).
- Consumer Protection: Legal Metrology Act (2009), Food Safety and Standards Act (2006).
Q. With reference to the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, consider the following statements:
1. The Bill mandates a 10% annual increase in the minimum amount of fines and penalties across all amended Acts.
2. It introduces a mechanism where Adjudicating Officers, instead of traditional courts, will determine penalties for certain minor offences.
3. The Bill proposes to decriminalize provisions in over 70 Central Acts to promote trust-based governance.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Solution:
Correct Answer: B
• STATEMENT 1 IS INCORRECT: While the Bill does provide a 10% increase in fines and penalties, this revision is scheduled to occur every three years, not annually.
• STATEMENT 2 IS CORRECT: One of the core features of the Bill is the appointment of Adjudicating Officers to handle minor defaults administratively, thereby reducing the burden on the Indian court system.
• STATEMENT 3 IS CORRECT: The 2026 version of the Bill is an expansive reform that targets 79 Central Acts (more than 70) to streamline the regulatory environment and decriminalize hundreds of provisions.
