March 27, Kohima: The State Legislative Assembly passed the Nagaland Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, on the final day of the session today.
The Bill was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton and was adopted by voice vote.
The legislation aims to rationalize provisions across 12 state laws by decriminalizing minor and technical offenses. Instead of criminal penalties, the Bill introduces civil penalties, compounding mechanisms, and administrative adjudication.
It also provides for graded and proportionate monetary penalties based on the severity of violations, while enabling digital compliance systems, ensuring transparency, and promoting time-bound decision-making.
The Bill seeks to reduce regulatory uncertainty, improve ease of doing business in the State, encourage voluntary compliance based on trust, while retaining stringent penalties for serious offenses affecting public order, health, safety, or revenue.