• Govt pushes trust-based governance, reduces compliance burden
• 79 Central laws amended across 23 Ministries
• HM Amit Shah calls it boost to ease of living, business
New Delhi: Parliament on Friday passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, marking a sweeping overhaul of India’s regulatory framework with the decriminalisation of hundreds of minor offences and rationalisation of compliance norms across sectors.
The legislation amends 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries, with 717 provisions decriminalised and 67 amended to improve ease of living. Overall, the reforms aim to rationalise over 1,000 offences by removing minor penal provisions and replacing them with civil penalties.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed the passage of the Bill, terming it a “giant step” towards accelerating ease of doing business and ease of living. He said the move reflects the government’s push for trust-based governance and simplified regulatory systems.
A key feature of the law is the shift from criminal penalties, including imprisonment for procedural lapses, to graded monetary penalties. The Bill also introduces structured adjudication mechanisms to handle minor violations, reducing the burden on courts and litigation.
In the health sector, amendments span major laws including the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Pharmacy Act, and Food Safety Act, with a focus on simplifying compliance while maintaining public safety safeguards.
Officials said the reforms would improve regulatory predictability, reduce legal risks for businesses and enhance investor confidence while ensuring accountability for serious violations.
PIB
