Rajya Sabha clears Jan Vishwas Bill

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill by voice vote on Thursday, one day after the Lok Sabha cleared it.

The Bill proposes to amend 784 provisions of 79 central Acts administered by 23 ministries, decriminalise 717 provisions and amend 67 provisions to facilitate ease of living.

During the discussion on the Bill, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said it will help in increasing the "ease of doing business" and the "ease of living" by decriminalising minor offences, besides helping citizens and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).


"We have taken a graded approach. There could be improvement notices or warnings, but for repeat offences, there could be a penalty if violations continue. Then there are provisions for punitive penalties and criminal offences," he said, adding that this reform is a significant step towards simplifying laws, reducing compliance burden & fear of penalties.