What Is Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill Passed By Lok Sabha?

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.

Here’s what the bill proposes

• It aims to decriminalise around 180 offences by amending 42 laws across sectors including environment, agriculture, media, industry and publication.
• The Acts which are being amended include The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; Public Debt Act, 1944; Pharmacy Act, 1948; Cinematograph Act, 1952; Copyright Act, 1957; Patents Act, 1970; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• The other laws include Trade Marks Act, 1999; Railways Act, 1989; Information Technology Act, 2000; Prevention of Money-laundering Act, 2002; Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006; Legal Metrology Act, 2009; and Factoring Regulation Act, 2011.
• Decriminalisation would mean that the imprisonment would be removed in some cases or the fine would be converted into penalties to provide a boost to the business ecosystem and improve the well-being of the public. Moreover, all offences under the Post Office Act, of 1898 are being removed.
• These 42 laws are administered by various Union ministries, including finance, food production and distribution, financial services, agriculture, commerce, environment, road transport and highways, posts, electronics and IT.

Here’s how it will help citizens

1. 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.
2. It establishes a balance between the severity of the offence or violation committed and the gravity of the prescribed punishment.
3. 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.
4. The decriminalisation of provisions which affect citizens and some government employees will help them live without the fear of imprisonment for minor violations.
5. 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.