New Delhi: No more prison time for minor mistakes — that’s the big promise of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, tabled in Parliament this week. Marketed as a game-changer for Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business, the Bill aims to sweep away outdated rules that still treat small procedural lapses like crimes.
The central idea? Replace the fear of jail with proportionate fines, warnings, and advisory notices. The government says this will not only give citizens and businesses more breathing space but also unclog India’s overburdened judicial system.
Key Provisions That Stand Out
- First-time leniency: For 76 offences under 10 laws, first violations will only get a warning or advisory.
- No more harsh imprisonment: Technical or paperwork-related mistakes — like not filing a form on time — will now attract monetary penalties instead of jail.
- Smart fines: Penalties will scale up for repeat offenders, with an automatic 10% hike every three years, so they remain a deterrent without Parliament needing to re-legislate.
- Administrative resolution: Designated officers will handle most cases outside of court, saving time and resources.
The Bill also introduces reforms under multiple Acts:
- Apprentices Act, 1961: Minor employer violations, like asking apprentices to work overtime, will first get a warning instead of fines or punishment.
- Central Silk Board Act, 1948: Jail terms scrapped; false reporting or obstruction will now draw monetary fines instead.
- APEDA Act, 1985: Small exporters missing a return? First time = warning, repeat = heavy penalties.
- Motor Vehicles Act: More citizen-friendly measures like state-wide registration, 30-day grace after licence expiry, and extended time to report registration cancellation.
- NDMC Act: A major property tax revamp by moving from the old rateable value to a transparent unit area system.
What the Govt Says
The Statement of Objects and Reasons argues that “democratic governance rests on trust.” According to ministers, outdated laws created a “trust deficit” between citizens and the state. The new framework aims to deliver on the motto of “Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.”
Why It Matters
For businesses, this could mean fewer compliance nightmares and faster dispute resolution. For citizens, it promises less harassment for minor mistakes and a more predictable, transparent penalty system.
But critics point out that monetary penalties must remain fair — otherwise, replacing jail with high fines could simply transfer the burden instead of easing it.
The Bill has now been referred to a Select Committee of the Lok Sabha, which will report back in the next session. Whether this becomes the reform that truly transforms citizen-state relations, or just another layer of rules, is the big question.
