Lok Sabha Passes Jan Vishwas Bill Decriminalising Various Offences

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 passed in Lok Sabha on Thursday seeks to convert several fines into penalties concerning 42 laws across multiple sectors.

Lok Sabha on Thursday passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023. The bill seeks to convert several fines into penalties concerning 42 laws across multiple sectors. Court prosecution would not be necessary to administer punishments, also removes imprisonment as a punishment for many offences. The legislation was passed after the Centre asked 19 ministries to do away with outdated provisions in the 42 laws. The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha in December last year by Union Minister Piyush Goyal.

The Acts which are being amended include The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; Public Debt Act, 1944; Pharmacy Act, 1948; Cinematograph Act, 1952; Copyright Act, 1957; Patents Act, 1970; Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; and Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

The parliamentary panel report, tabled on March 20, said decriminalising minor offences would "reduce the burden on judiciary and prisons" while easing the doing of business and easing the living of the individuals at the same time, PTI reported.

"Some of the proposed amendments are introducing suitable adjudication mechanisms, wherever applicable and feasible for dealing with minor offences. This would go a long way in reducing the burden on the judiciary, unclog courts and help in efficient justice dispensation," it said.

The bill was passed after a Cabinet meeting was held earlier in the day chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. 

All Cabinet ministers, inlcuding Home Minister Amit Shah, are attending the meeting, which comes amid buzz of a ministerial reshuffle ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Earlier this month, PM Narendra Modi held a meeting with the Council of Ministers. "Had a fruitful meeting with the Council of Ministers, where we exchanged views on diverse policy-related issues," PM Modi tweeted after chairing a nearly four-hour meeting of the Union Council of Ministers.

PM Modi also asked his ministers to go all out over the next nine months to inform people about the work done by the government ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.