New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill. It seeks to promote ease of business by decriminalising minor offences. The proposed legislation was first introduced in Parliament by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry in December last year. It was later referred to a Joint Committee of the Parliament for review.
The JPC presented its report with seven general recommendations to Parliament during the Budget Session in March, out of which 6 recommendations were accepted by the Union Cabinet.
- It will help in rationalising criminal provisions to ensure that citizens, businesses and government departments operate without fear of imprisonment for minor or technical defaults.
- It establishes a balance between the severity of the offence or violation committed and the gravity of the prescribed punishment.
- The technical and procedural lapses and minor defaults had been burdening the justice delivery system and delaying the adjudication of serious offences. Therefore, the bill would reduce undue pressure on the justice system and reduce the pendency of cases.
- The decriminalisation of provisions which affect citizens and some government employees will help them live without the fear of imprisonment for minor violations.
- It will help in rationalising laws, eliminating barriers and bolstering the growth of businesses and will save time and cost for both the government and businesses.
The NDA government has repealed 1,486 laws and once this bill gets a nod from the parliament, the number of laws removed from statute books will go up to 1,562, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said.