Bill to decriminalise minor offences to come up for house nod in Budget session

The commerce and industry ministry aims to get parliamentary approval for the Jan Vishwas Bill, which proposes to decriminalise hundreds of minor offences, including economic ones, in the second half of the Budget session that starts from March 13, senior officials said. The bill was introduced by commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal in the Lok Sabha in the winter session of Parliament in December. It seeks to amend 183 outdated provisions in 42 laws that are administered by 19 ministries. The bill was then referred to a 31-member joint parliamentary committee for scrutiny. The panel will submit its report in the second part of the Budget session.

"We expect the bill to get House approval in the Budget session itself, after the joint parliamentary committee submits its report," said a senior official.

The 42 laws that will be amended are currently administered by various wings of the government, including departments for promotion of industry and internal trade, economic affairs, financial services, health and family welfare, environment, forest, information & broadcasting, road transport and food. The bill also proposes to increase the minimum amount of fine and penalty levied by 10% after every three years. Some of the laws that will be amended are the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988; Indian Forest Act 1927; Pharmacy Act, 1948.