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 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 rolls revision in Bihar and other issues.
A total of 355 provisions are proposed to be amended through this Bill. It includes 288 provisions decriminalised to foster ease of doing business, and 67 to facilitate ease of living.
It also proposes 67 amendments under the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 (NDMC Act) and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The legislation is part of the government’s efforts to enhance the country’s business climate.
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.
The 2025 Bill expands this reform agenda to cover 16 central acts administered by 10 ministries and departments.
