New Delhi: In a move aimed at easing compliance and reducing the burden on courts, Delhi govt on Tuesday approved the Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026. The legislation, cleared by the Cabinet, seeks to decriminalise minor offences and streamline administrative processes, chief minister Rekha Gupta said. Gupta said the Bill draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Jan Vishwas initiative and aligns with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, implemented by the central govt in 2023 and 2025. Under the central framework, minor, technical and procedural violations under several central laws were removed from the criminal category, and states and union territories were advised to review their own statutes on similar lines. “After a comprehensive review of state laws, we found that in many cases, civil penalties are more appropriate than criminal punishment for minor violations. With this Bill, such offences will be decriminalised, reducing the load on courts and making administration more effective,” Gupta said. Gupta said the Bill aims to promote the ‘ease of doing business’ and the ‘ease of living’, while ensuring proportionality in punishment. The chief minister clarified that serious offences, including those affecting public health, safety and life, will continue to attract stringent action. Under the proposed framework, criminal proceedings for minor, technical and procedural violations will be replaced with civil penalties, administrative fines and an appellate mechanism. The govt expects this to speed up resolution of cases and allow courts to focus on more serious matters.The Bill proposes amendments to seven Delhi laws. These include Delhi Industrial Development, Operation and Maintenance Act, 2010; Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954; National Capital Territory of Delhi ‘Incredible India’ Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2007; Delhi Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1998; Delhi Jal Board Act, 1998; Delhi Professional Colleges/Institutions Act, 2007 and Delhi Diploma-Level Technical Education Institutions Act, 2007. All minor offences under these statutes are proposed to be decriminalised and converted into civil penalties. An important feature of the Bill is a provision for periodic revision of fines. It proposes an automatic 10 per cent increase in the amount of fines every three years after implementation, to ensure that penalties remain effective in line with inflation and rising costs. Gupta said the Bill would not impose any additional financial burden on the govt. It will be implemented using existing departmental resources. The finance department raised no objection to the proposal, the chief minister added. Delhi govt plans to introduce and pass the bill in the upcoming winter session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
