DPIIT working on Jan Vishwas 2.0, to decriminalise minor offences, boost ‘Make in India’ initiative

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The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working on about 100 rules and laws of various government departments to bring Jan Vishwas 2.0 bill to achieve greater ease of doing business, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on September 28.

The work is being done as a priority under the first 100-day thrust of the Modi 3.0 government.

To support the “Make in India” initiative, the Government of India has enacted the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. The Jan Vishwas Act introduces civil penalties and administrative actions for minor technical and procedural lapses, reducing the fear of criminal penalties and enhancing the ease of doing business and living in the country.

The primary objective of the Act is to decriminalise minor offenses across 42 central Acts; it would eliminate 183 criminal provisions across 19 ministries and departments.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee, which reviewed the Jan Vishwas Bill, has recommended extending the exercise to further Acts, ensuring the continuous modernisation of the country’s regulatory framework.

A key objective of the Jan Vishwas Act is to remove outdated provisions that no longer serve the evolving technological and business environment. This comprehensive reform not only saves time and costs for both the government and the judiciary but also fosters a more conducive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs by reducing unnecessary legal hurdles, the Commerce Ministry said in a release.

The Act, passed by the Lok Sabha on July 27, 2023, and the Rajya Sabha on August 2, 2023, with presidential assent on August 11, 2023, aims to promote trust in businesses and citizens, streamline legal processes, and ease the burden on the judiciary.