The Indian government has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, aiming to decriminalise minor offences and promote ease of doing business. The bill proposes to amend 79 central acts, affecting 23 ministries, and 784 provisions, with 717 being decriminalised.
The proposed amendments include a 30-day grace period for expired driving licences, reduced jail terms for tampering with seized items, and decriminalisation of key offences under the Cattle Trespass Act.
Other key changes include removing imprisonment for non-compliance with official orders under the Electricity Act, restructuring property tax under the NDMC Act, and increasing penalties for unauthorised occupation of government premises.
The bill also proposes to increase fines for allowing dogs to roam without leashes and for offences under the Metro Railways Act.
