About
- The Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 is a significant legislative initiative by the Government of India aimed at further decriminalizing minor offenses to enhance the ease of doing business and living in the country.
- Funding upon the foundation laid by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, this new bill seeks to modernize India’s regulatory framework by addressing outdated legal provisions that no longer align with the current technological and business environment.
Budget Allocation 2025
- Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 speech that the government would introduce the Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 to decriminalise over 100 outdated legal provisions to achieve greater ease of doing business in the country.
Background: The Jan Vishwas Act, 2023
- Enact in August 2023, the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, was a landmark reform that decriminalized minor offenses across 42 central acts, eliminating 183 criminal provisions spanning 19 ministries and departments.
- The primary objective was to reduce the burden of criminal penalties for minor technical lapses, thereby promoting a more business-friendly environment.
- The act placed certain criminal penalties with civil fines and administrative actions, ensuring that penalties remained proportionate to the severity of offenses while maintaining stringent punishments for serious violations.
Introduction of Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0
- Recognizing the need for continuous modernization, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is working on approximately 100 rules and laws from various government departments to introduce the Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0.
- This effort is part of the government’s first 100-day priority agenda, reflecting its commitment to creating a more conducive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Key Objectives of Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0
- Further Decriminalization:
- The bill aims to decriminalize additional minor offenses, reducing the fear of criminal penalties for technical and procedural lapses. This approach is expected to alleviate unnecessary hurdles and foster trust among businesses and citizens.
- Modernization of Legal Provisions:
- By addressing outdated provision the bill seeks to sign India’s regulatory framework with the evolving technological and business landscape, thereby promoting investor confidence and facilitating smoother business operations.
- Streamlining Legal Processes:
- The proposed amendments focus on simplifying legal procedures, reducing the burden on the judiciary, and ensuring that penalties are proportionate to the severity of offenses. Serious oblations will continue to face stringent punishments.
Anticipated Impact
- The Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 is expected to significantly boost entrepreneurship by easing appliance processes a creating a more business-friendly environment.
- By decriminalizing minor offenses and updating outdated legal provisions, bill aims to reduce unnecessary legal hurdles, save time and costs for both the government and the judiciary, and foster a more conducive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
- The Jan Vishwas Bill 2.0 represents a progressive step towards modernizing India’s rlatory framework.
- By focusing on decriminalization and the removal of outdated legal provisions, the government aims to enhance the ease of doing business, promote investor confidence, and align India’s regulatory environment with global standards.
This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a more conducive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs in the country.
