Lok Sabha passes Jan Vishwas bill for ease of business

Digital Desk: The Lok Sabha has passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, which aims to improve the country's ease of doing business and ease of living in the country.

Significant changes are proposed in the bill to decriminalize 183 provisions of 42 Central Acts that are governed by 19 Ministries and Departments.

The Lok Sabha first proposed the Bill on December 22, 2022. It was subsequently referred to the Joint Committee of Parliament for further review. On March 13, 2023, the Committee's final Report was approved during a meeting.

183 sections from 42 Central Acts that are controlled by 19 Ministries and Departments are up for decriminalization under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of sections) Bill, 2023. The proposed decriminalization will be accomplished in several ways, including the elimination of imprisonment and/or fines in some provisions, the elimination of prison time but retention of fines in a few clauses, and the conversion of jail time and fines to penalties in some circumstances.

The law incorporates practical measures including pragmatic revisions of fines and penalties appropriate to the offense committed, the creation of adjudicating officers and appellate authorities, and periodic increments in the quantity of fines and penalties to properly implement the proposed changes. In a few clauses, compounding of offenses will also be implemented.