Union Govt 'Jan Vishwas Bill for Decriminalise 717 Offences'

The Union government on Friday introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 in the Lok Sabha, proposing to decriminalise a range of minor offences to promote ease of doing business. 

The Bill, introduced by minister of state for commerce and industry Jitin Prasada, seeks to amend 79 Central Acts administered by 23 ministries.

Of the 784 provisions proposed to be amended, 717 relate to decriminalisation of minor



offences and 67 are aimed at improving ease of living.

Congress members K. Kavya and G.K. Padavi opposed the introduction, alleging that replacing imprisonment with fines would affect the basic structure of the Constitution. 

Padavi urged that the Bill be referred again to a select or joint parliamentary committee. "This is an administrative oversight. The Bill is arbitrary and encourages corruption, and it should be reexamined," he said.