Daily Current Affairs : 28-July-2023

In a significant development, the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, has been successfully passed in the Lok Sabha. The bill, initially introduced in 2022, underwent scrutiny by the Joint Committee of the Parliament before its approval.

Aim of the Bill

The primary objective of the Jan Vishwas Bill is to enhance Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business in the country. It aims to achieve this by decriminalizing various provisions in 42 Central Acts that fall under the jurisdiction of 19 Ministries/Departments. The decriminalization process includes removing imprisonment and/or fines, enhancing fines, and converting penalties in certain cases.

Key Proposed Changes

The Bill proposes to decriminalize a total of 183 provisions in various Acts to achieve its objectives. The proposed changes can be summarized as follows:

  1. Removal of Imprisonment and/or Fine: In certain provisions, the imposition of both imprisonment and fines will be removed to ease the burden on citizens and businesses.
  2. Removal of Imprisonment with Retained Fine: Some provisions will see the removal of imprisonment while retaining the fines, providing a more balanced approach.
  3. Removal of Imprisonment with Enhanced Fine: In specific cases, imprisonment will be removed, and the fines will be increased to maintain the severity of punishment.
  4. Conversion of Imprisonment and Fine to Penalty: For certain offenses, both imprisonment and fines will be converted into penalties to streamline the enforcement process.
  5. Introduction of Compounding of Offenses: The bill proposes introducing compounding of offenses in a few provisions, offering an opportunity for resolution without prolonged legal proceedings.
Effective Implementation Measures

To ensure the effective implementation of the proposed changes, the Jan Vishwas Bill suggests the following measures:

  1. Pragmatic Revision of Fines and Penalties: Fines and penalties will be revised based on the severity of the offense committed, promoting a more fair and just system.
  2. Establishment of Adjudicating Officers: To handle cases efficiently, the bill calls for the establishment of Adjudicating Officers who will be responsible for addressing violations and imposing appropriate penalties.
  3. Establishment of Appellate Authorities: Appellate Authorities will be set up to handle appeals against decisions made by Adjudicating Officers.
  4. Periodic Increase in Quantum of Fine and Penalties: To deter potential offenders, the bill proposes periodic increases in fines and penalties.
Benefits of the Amendment Bill

The Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill offers numerous advantages for citizens, businesses, and government departments alike:

  1. Rationalization of Criminal Provisions: By decriminalizing minor, technical, and procedural defaults, the bill ensures that individuals and businesses operate without fear of imprisonment.
  2. Balance Between Offense and Punishment: The proposed amendments establish a fair balance between the severity of offenses and the prescribed punishments.
  3. Adherence to Law Without Rigidity: By introducing administrative adjudication mechanisms, the bill encourages adherence to the law without placing undue pressure on the justice system.
  4. Efficient Justice Dispensation: The bill is expected to reduce the pendency of cases and facilitate a more efficient justice dispensation process.

Important Points:

  • The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023, has been passed in Lok Sabha.
  • Aim: To boost Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.
  • 183 provisions in 42 Central Acts administered by 19 Ministries/Departments to be decriminalized.
  • Decriminalization to be achieved through various methods, including removing imprisonment and/or fines, enhancing fines, converting penalties, and introducing compounding of offenses.
  • Measures proposed for effective implementation: pragmatic revision of fines, establishment of Adjudicating Officers and Appellate Authorities, and periodic increase in fines and penalties.
  • Objective: Rationalizing criminal provisions to eliminate fear of imprisonment for minor, technical, or procedural defaults.
  • Striking a balance between offense and punishment to ensure adherence to the law without rigidity.
  • Introduction of administrative adjudication mechanisms to reduce pressure on the justice system and expedite cases.
  • Decriminalization benefits citizens, businesses, and certain government employees by removing the fear of imprisonment for minor violations.
  • Overall aim is to create a conducive environment for living and conducting business in the country.
Why In News

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023 has been successfully passed in Lok Sabha, marking a significant step towards enhancing public welfare initiatives. As it moves to the Rajya Sabha for further deliberation, the nation awaits with anticipation to witness the potential impact of these amendments on empowering marginalized communities.

MCQs about Jan Vishwas Bill 2023

  1. What is the primary aim of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2023?
    A. To establish Appellate Authorities for legal cases.
    B. To rationalize criminal provisions and ensure a balance between offense and punishment.
    C. To impose stricter penalties for minor violations.
    D. To increase the number of Central Acts administered by Ministries/Departments.
    Correct Answer: B. To rationalize criminal provisions and ensure a balance between offense and punishment.
    Explanation: The primary aim of the Jan Vishwas Bill is to rationalize criminal provisions by decriminalizing minor, technical, and procedural defaults and ensure a balance between the severity of offenses and the prescribed punishments.
  2. How will the Jan Vishwas Bill achieve decriminalization?
    A. By imposing heavy fines for all offenses.
    B. By removing imprisonment and retaining fines in certain provisions.
    C. By introducing imprisonment for all violations.
    D. By delegating adjudication powers to local authorities.
    Correct Answer: B. By removing imprisonment and retaining fines in certain provisions.
    Explanation: The Jan Vishwas Bill proposes decriminalization by removing imprisonment and retaining fines in some provisions, thereby easing the burden on citizens and businesses.
  3. What measures are proposed for effective implementation of the Jan Vishwas Bill?
    A. Reducing fines and penalties for all offenses.
    B. Establishing Adjudicating Officers and Appellate Authorities.
    C. Removing provisions from Central Acts.
    D. Introducing stricter penalties for offenders.
    Correct Answer: B. Establishing Adjudicating Officers and Appellate Authorities.
    Explanation: The Jan Vishwas Bill proposes measures for effective implementation, including establishing Adjudicating Officers and Appellate Authorities to handle cases efficiently.
  4. What are the benefits of decriminalization through the Jan Vishwas Bill?
    A. Increasing fear of imprisonment for minor violations.
    B. Reducing penalties and fines for severe offenses.
    C. Improving the efficiency of the justice system.
    D. Introducing more Central Acts for governance.
    Correct Answer: C. Improving the efficiency of the justice system.
    Explanation: Decriminalization through the Jan Vishwas Bill is expected to reduce pressure on the justice system, decrease the pendency of cases, and lead to a more efficient and effective justice dispensation process.

Boost up your confidence by appearing our Weekly Current Affairs Multiple Choice Questions

Loading