Gujarat to Introduce ‘Jan Vishwas Bill’ for Decriminalising Minor Offences

Quick Summary

• the Gujarat government plans to introduce ‘The Gujarat Jan Vishwas (amendment of Provisions) Bill’ during the Monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly from September 8 to 10, 2025.
• Aimed at improving ease of doing business and ease of living,the bill focuses on simplifying rules,decriminalising minor offences,and reducing reliance on courts.
• It proposes replacing punitive legal actions (like imprisonment) with fines and penalties for minor violations such as unauthorized construction, public encroachment, non-removal of filth, tying cattle in public places, and defaulting on tax payments.
• The amendments will address provisions within 11 existing state laws including:

– Gujarat Co-operative Societies Act (1961)
– Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Growth Act (1976)
– Gujarat Municipalities Act (1963), among others.

• The bill emphasizes redefining outdated regulations to create a trust-based governance framework conducive for both citizens and businesses.
• State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rushikesh Patel highlighted that this effort aims to shift from overly punitive measures toward rationalizing compliance requirements.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The proposed Jan Vishwas Bill reflects an intent by the Gujarat government to streamline governance structures while addressing citizen-business interactions comprehensively. by shifting from prison terms for less serious infractions to financial penalties, this reform could foster greater confidence in regulatory systems. This initiative carries dual significance: promoting economic activity through reduced bureaucratic hurdles alongside lowering judicial caseloads by minimizing criminal litigations over trivial matters.

However, implementation will rely heavily on obvious enforcement mechanisms; simply substituting penalties may still leave room for ambiguity without robust oversight or accountability measures. If executed effectively as outlined in specific amendments across multiple acts-spanning agriculture markets to municipal management-the bill can elevate trust across businesses while simultaneously easing civic functioning. Its potential success could set a precedent for similar reforms across other states in India.

Read more: source link