🗞️ Why in News The Union Government withdrew the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 from the Lok Sabha on March 18, 2026, citing the need to incorporate recommendations of a Select Committee — a significant step in India’s ongoing decriminalisation-of-minor-offences reform agenda.
Background: The Jan Vishwas Act 2023
The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 was a landmark legislation that amended 42 central Acts to decriminalise 183 provisions — replacing imprisonment clauses with fines for minor, technical, or procedural violations.
Key Acts Amended
Industries spanning agriculture (Seed Act), environment (Environment Protection Act), food safety (FSSAI Act), IT (IT Act), and trade (Drugs and Cosmetics Act) — reducing criminalisation in areas where imprisonment was seen as disproportionate.
Core Philosophy
- “Jan Vishwas” = “People’s Trust” — governance should be based on trust, not fear
- Decriminalising minor offences reduces litigation burden on courts
- Encourages compliance over punishment; promotes ease of doing business
- Reduces harassment of honest businesses by removing imprisonment risk for technical defaults
The Amendment Bill 2025
Following the 2023 Act, the government introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 to extend decriminalisation further — covering additional Acts and strengthening adjudication mechanisms.
The Select Committee
The Bill was referred to a Select Committee for detailed examination. Select Committees:
- Consist of members from the House where the Bill originated
- Examine provisions clause-by-clause
- Can call expert witnesses, stakeholders
- Submit a report with recommended amendments
The Select Committee suggested significant modifications — prompting the government to withdraw the Bill for revision.
Parliamentary Procedure: Withdrawal of a Bill
Who moved the withdrawal: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal
Procedure:
- A Minister moves a motion to withdraw the Bill
- The motion must be approved by the same House (here, Lok Sabha)
- Approval was by voice vote — indicating no significant opposition
- The government can reintroduce a revised Bill in a future session
Constitutional Basis
Article 70 of the Constitution deals with discharge of the President’s functions in contingencies — it does not govern Bill withdrawal. Withdrawal of a Bill is governed by Rule 110 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. A member-in-charge may move for leave to withdraw a Bill at any stage, provided it has not yet been passed by the House. If such leave is granted, no further motion can be made on that Bill.
Significance of Decriminalisation Reform
Ease of Doing Business
India climbed to rank 63 on the World Bank’s Doing Business Report 2020 (published October 2019) from 142 in 2014 — a jump of 79 ranks in 5 years. Decriminalisation of minor regulatory offences is a key structural reform alongside GST, IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code), and FEMA simplification.
Judicial Pendency
India has over 5.5 crore pending cases across all courts (as of early 2026, per National Judicial Data Grid). Decriminalising technical violations reduces case inflows at the magistrate level.
Global Comparison
Most developed economies use civil penalties (fines, licence revocations) rather than criminal law for regulatory non-compliance. India’s Jan Vishwas approach aligns with this global best practice.
What Comes Next?
The government will incorporate the Select Committee’s recommendations and reintroduce a revised Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill in a subsequent Parliamentary session. The original 2023 Act remains in force — this is a supplementary enhancement exercise.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Jan Vishwas Act 2023 (42 Acts, 183 provisions), Piyush Goyal, Select Committee procedure, Parliamentary Rules. Mains GS-2: Parliamentary procedures; decriminalisation policy; ease of doing business. GS-3: Business regulatory reforms; judicial pendency; economic governance.
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Jan Vishwas Act 2023 — Core Data:
- Full name: Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023
- Acts amended: 42 central Acts
- Provisions decriminalised: 183
- Ministry: Commerce and Industry (lead); multiple ministries involved
- Meaning: “Jan Vishwas” = “People’s Trust”
Amendment Bill 2025:
- Purpose: Further extend decriminalisation; strengthen adjudication mechanisms
- Withdrawn by: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
- Reason: Incorporate Select Committee recommendations
- Approval method: Voice vote in Lok Sabha
Parliamentary Procedure:
- Select Committee: Examines Bill clause-by-clause; recommends amendments; members from originating House
- Bill withdrawal: Governed by Lok Sabha Rule 110; requires leave of the House where pending
- Joint Committee: Alternative — members from both Houses (for major national interest Bills)
Ease of Doing Business:
- World Bank Doing Business Report 2020 (published Oct 2019): Rank 63 (up from 142 in 2014)
- Related reforms: GST (2017), IBC (2016), FEMA simplification, DPIIT reforms
- Pending court cases in India: ~5.5 crore across all courts (NJDG, early 2026); reducing through decriminalisation + ADR
Other Relevant Facts:
- Original Jan Vishwas Bill introduced in Lok Sabha on December 22, 2022; passed by Lok Sabha July 27, 2023; passed by Rajya Sabha August 2, 2023 (Monsoon Session)
- Decriminalisation ≠ deregulation — offences still carry fines/civil penalties, not imprisonment
- IBC (Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code) 2016 is a complementary ease-of-business reform
- Article 70 of Constitution: Refers to discharge of President’s functions in contingencies — has nothing to do with Bill withdrawal
- Bill withdrawal procedure: Governed by Rule 110 of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha
- Jan Vishwas Act 2023 amended Acts across 19 Ministries/Departments