Jan Vishwas 2.0 to boost “Make in India” Dream further

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is reviewing approximately 100 rules and laws from various government departments to introduce the Jan Vishwas 2.0 Bill, aimed at further improving the ease of doing business in the country. This initiative is a key priority within the government's first 100-day agenda. In line with the "Make in India" initiative, the Government of India enacted the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. This Act focuses on decriminalizing minor offences across 42 Central Acts, eliminating 183 criminal provisions from 19 Ministries/Departments.

The Joint Parliamentary Committee, which reviewed the Jan Vishwas Bill, has suggested expanding the effort to include more laws, ensuring that India's regulatory system keeps getting updated. The Jan Vishwas Act replaces criminal penalties with civil fines and administrative actions for minor technical and procedural mistakes. This helps reduce the fear of criminal charges, making it easier to do business and live in the country.

A key objective of the Jan Vishwas Act is to remove outdated provisions that no longer serve the evolving technological and business environment. This comprehensive reform not only saves time and costs for both the government and the judiciary but also fosters a more conducive environment for businesses and entrepreneurs by reducing unnecessary legal hurdles.

The Act, passed by the Lok Sabha on July 27, 2023, and the Rajya Sabha on August 2, 2023, with presidential assent on August 11, 2023, aims to promote trust in businesses and citizens, streamline legal processes, and ease the burden on the judiciary. The decriminalisation effort ensures that penalties are proportionate to the severity of offences while maintaining stringent punishments for serious violations. This is a major step towards aligning India’s regulatory framework with global business standards, promoting investor confidence, and facilitating smoother business operations.