Gujarat assembly passes Jan Vishwas Bill amid opposition protests

The Gujarat assembly on Tuesday passed the Gujarat Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, which seeks to decriminalise several minor offences to promote "trust-based" governance and improve the "ease of doing business," despite strong objections from the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).The bill was cleared through a majority voice vote after a lengthy debate during the monsoon session, with opposition members refusing to extend support.
According to information,the legislation proposes replacing punitive legal action such as imprisonment with monetary penalties for offences including unauthorised construction, encroachment on public spaces, tying cattle in public areas, failure to remove filth, defaulting on certain tax payments, and discharging sewage without municipal permission. Selling dairy products without approval, loitering for the purpose of prostitution, and obstructing authorised officers from entering premises are also covered under the amendments.In total, 516 provisions from 11 existing laws will be amended. Of these, one previously mandated jail terms, 17 allowed both jail or fines, and 498 prescribed fines for non-compliance. These will now be replaced by specified penalties imposed directly by the government, rather than fines imposed by courts after lengthy proceedings.
Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, tabling the bill, said it was aligned with the Centre’s Jan Vishwas Bill passed earlier in Parliament. “We want to simplify rules and regulations, promote ease of doing business, reduce burden on courts and rationalise existing provisions. This bill enhances trust-based governance,” he said.
Congress members demanded that separate amendment bills be introduced for each of the 11 affected laws. AAP MLA Gopal Italia strongly opposed the move, alleging that it would aid “wrong-doers and criminals” instead of serving ordinary citizens.Italia cited provisions such as a penalty of just Rs500 for individuals securing cooperative society memberships with bogus documents, despite the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita prescribing imprisonment for the same offence. “How can someone who wilfully submits fake documents be let off with just Rs500? This bill contravenes existing law and raises constitutional concerns,” he said.He further argued that replacing FIRs with penalties for illegal construction—such as a ₹50,000 fine—would embolden violators rather than deter them. Italia also criticised the lack of judicial oversight, saying it gave “immense powers” to officials without adequate checks.Despite these objections, the bill was passed by majority vote in the BJP-dominated assembly.The House also unanimously passed the Gujarat Goods and Services Tax (Second Amendment) Bill, giving effect to decisions taken at the GST Council’s 55th meeting.

(State Correspondent)