Context

The Commerce and Industry Minister in Lok Sabha introduced the Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill 2022, which seeks to decriminalise minor offences by amending 183 provisions in 42 Acts with a view to promoting ease of business.

About

About the Bill:

• The Bill is put forward by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• The bill seeks to decriminalise minor offences to promote ease of business.
• Besides the decriminalisation of minor offences, the bill envisages;
  • The rationalisation of monetary penalties,
  • Depending on the gravity of the offence,
  • Bolstering trust-based governance.
• The Bill will seek to amend acts such as
  • the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867
  • the Boilers Act 1923
  • the Public Debt Act 1944
  • the Indian Forest Act 1927
• The bill mentions that the novelty involved in the proposal, increased by 10 per centof the minimum amount of fine and penalty levied, after the expiry of every three years.

Impacts of the Bill:

• It will reduce the burden on the Judiciary and cases pending.
• There are many laws in the country, under which punishment provisions are there for minor offences and for that people have to approach courts. Now the situation can be improved and save time for other work.