Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 Aims to Streamline Laws, Reduce Criminal Penalties

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 Aims to Streamline Laws, Reduce Criminal Penalties​

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 proposes significant amendments across numerous Central Acts, targeting the simplification of laws and the reduction of criminal penalties for minor procedural lapses. The legislation seeks to create a more balanced and practical regulatory environment for citizens and businesses alike.

The Bill proposes changes in 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries, covering a total of 784 provisions across multiple sectors. Key to the reform effort is the removal of criminal penalties for minor procedural errors, replacing them instead with civil penalties or administrative mechanisms.

Key Reforms for Ease of Living and Business Operations​

The reform initiative builds on earlier efforts, such as the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. The 2026 Bill continues this trajectory by further reducing the criminalization of minor violations.

The Bill introduces several mechanisms to ensure proportionality in enforcement, including:

• Warning before Punishment: For first-time and minor lapses, the emphasis shifts to warnings rather than immediate penalties.
• Proportional Penalties: Penalties are calibrated according to the actual severity of the offense.
• Faster and Fair Resolution: The framework supports swift and transparent resolution through dedicated adjudicating officers and appellate authorities, thereby lessening the burden on courts.
• Dynamic Penalty Framework: Penalties are subject to periodic revision to maintain relevance and effectiveness over time.

The data detailing the scope of the changes reflects a comprehensive overhaul of punitive measures:

Citizen-Centric and Operational Updates​

The amendments target everyday interactions to make the legal framework simpler. Notable changes include:

• Public Water Use: The Illegal Use of Public Water under the NDMC Act, 1994, is changed from a criminal fine to a fixed civil penalty of ₹1,000.
• Driving Licenses: The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, now includes a 30-day grace period, allowing a license to remain valid after expiry without immediate penalty.
• Taxation Standards: The NDMC Act, 1994, standardizes property taxation by adopting the Unit Area Method across the board, ending an inconsistent system.
• Accident Claims: Motor accident victims can now approach the Claims Tribunal up to twelve months beyond the initial filing deadline, provided sufficient cause is shown.
• Public Presence: The offence of merely being present in a house, building, or vehicle between sunset and sunrise without a 'satisfactory explanation' under the Delhi Police Act, 1978, is abolished altogether.
• Transit Offences: Offences like travelling without a ticket under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, are reclassified as civil violations, with penalties up to ₹500.

Impact on Businesses and MSMEs​

For businesses, the Bill aims to ensure compliance gaps do not lead to criminal prosecution.

Civil Penalties over Imprisonment:
The reform replaces provisions of imprisonment with civil penalties. For instance, under the Central Silk Board Act, 1948, the amendment introduces a warning for the first contravention and monetary penalties for repeated violations, benefiting MSMEs by allowing procedural corrections.

Graded Enforcement:
The framework promotes a graded approach to compliance. Under the Tea Act, 1953, the enforcement moves from a fine up to 21,000 for false returns to a warning for the first instance, with penalties only for subsequent contraventions (up to 21 lakh).

Sector-Specific Relief:

• Copyright Act, 1957: The provision for imprisonment up to one year for making a false entry in the Register of Copyrights has been removed.
• Trade Exports: The APEDA Act, 1985, adopts a warning-and-penalty framework for procedural offenses regarding returns.
• MSME Protection: The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, introduces an improvement notice for the first lapse, allowing MSME importers to rectify compliance gaps before penalties are imposed. Furthermore, the Private Security Agencies Act, 2005, has removed the criminal fine provision for failure to display a licence.

These measures collectively support the objectives of increasing ease of living and fostering a more predictable, practical regulatory environment for economic growth.

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