Govt introduces Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill in LS, refers to Select Committee

New Delhi: The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2025, which seeks to decriminalise certain minor offences to promote ease of living and business, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday and referred to a Select Committee.

Introducing the bill, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the bill seeks to enhance trust-based governance for ease of doing business.

The Bill was then referred to the Select Committee of the Lok Sabha. The committee has been tasked to submit its report to the House by the first day of the next session of Parliament.

The Bill was introduced amid din as Opposition parties protested demanding a discussion on the voter roll revision in Bihar and other issues.

As the protests continued, Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 PM.

Over 350 provisions are proposed to be amended through this Bill.

The legislation is part of the government's efforts to improve the business climate of the country.

Earlier in 2023, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment to Provisions) Act was enacted, which decriminalised 183 provisions in 42 central Acts, administered by 19 ministries and departments.

Through the Act, the government removed imprisonment and/or fines in some provisions.

Imprisonment was removed and fine was retained in a few rules, while in some cases imprisonment and fine were converted to a penalty.