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Union Territory of Delhi
The Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 (Bill No. 2 of 2026), is a transformative legislative exercise designed to redefine the relationship between the state and its citizens. By amending eight major state enactments, the Bill seeks to “decriminalize minor offences and rationalize punishments” to foster a governance model rooted in trust rather than suspicion.
The Bill targets “minor non-compliances, procedural lapses, and outdated regulatory requirements” that previously carried the threat of imprisonment. By removing these criminal sanctions, the Delhi government aims to enhance the Ease of Living for citizens and the Ease of Doing Business for the city’s vast entrepreneurial sector.
Key Legislative Pillars
Systemic Decriminalization: The core of the Bill is the replacement of imprisonment with civil monetary penalties for offences that do not pose a serious threat to public order, health, or life.
Shift to Adjudicating Officers: The Bill transitions the power to punish from the judiciary to departmental Adjudicating Officers, significantly reducing the burden on Delhi’s courts and ensuring faster resolution of compliance issues.
Triennial Fine Escalation: To ensure that civil penalties remain a meaningful deterrent, the Bill mandates that minimum fine/penalty amounts be increased by 10% every three years from the date of commencement.
Comprehensive Scope: The Bill acts as an “umbrella” legislation, simultaneously amending the following Acts:
Delhi Industrial Development, Operation and Maintenance Act, 2010
Delhi Shops and Establishments Act, 1954
Delhi Electricity Reform Act, 2000
NCT (Incredible India) Bed and Breakfast Establishments Act, 2007
Delhi Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation) Act, 1998
Delhi Water Board Act, 1998
Delhi Professional Colleges or Institutions Act, 2007
Delhi Diploma Level Technical Education Institutions Act, 2007
What is the ‘Adjudication Mechanism’ introduced in the Jan Vishwas framework? It is a quasi-judicial process where a senior government official (the Adjudicating Officer) reviews a case of non-compliance and imposes a penalty based on a pre-defined scale. This replaces the traditional criminal trial process where a magistrate would hear the case. It provides a faster, more transparent route for businesses to pay for mistakes without the stigma or legal complexity of a criminal record.
Policy Relevance
This Bill is a strategic alignment of Delhi’s state laws with the Central Government’s national Jan Vishwas initiatives, ensuring a seamless regulatory experience across India.
De-clogging the Judiciary: By removing “petty” cases (like failing to display a license or minor clerical errors in water board filings) from criminal dockets, the Bill allows the state’s legal machinery to focus on high-stakes justice.
Eliminating ‘Inspector Raj’: Decriminalization removes the leverage used for administrative harassment, as officials can no longer threaten business owners with arrest for technical or procedural lapses.
Fiscal Responsibility: The Bill is designed for “administrative efficiency,” utilizing existing departmental frameworks without requiring additional budgetary allocations for new institutions.
Trust-Based Compliance: By treating businesses as partners rather than potential criminals, the Bill encourages voluntary compliance and formalization of the economy.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will the ‘Appellate Framework’ within these departments be designed to ensure that citizens have a fair and rapid recourse if they feel an Adjudicating Officer has imposed an unfair penalty?
Follow the full news here: Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026