New Delhi, April 3 The Jan Vishwas legislation will significantly reduce the compliance burden on businesses, accelerate dispute resolution, and improve the ease of doing business in the country, strengthening investor sentiment, India Inc said on Friday.
Parliament passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, on Thursday, to amend 784 provisions in 79 central laws to decriminalize and rationalize minor offenses, further improving the business environment and preventing harassment of people.
"By decriminalizing over 1,000 offenses across 79 Acts and rationalizing penalties, the reform brings greater clarity, predictability, and proportionality in compliance, strengthening ease of doing business, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation, and reinforcing India's position as a globally competitive investment destination," FICCI President Anant Goenka said.
CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said the bill reaffirms India's commitment to building a modern, trust-based regulatory environment conducive to investment and growth.
The bill replaced imprisonment provisions for minor infractions with proportionate monetary penalties or warnings; introduced graded enforcement mechanisms that extend leniency to first-time offenders; and rationalized fines in line with the severity of the offenses.
"Together, these measures will significantly reduce the compliance burden on businesses, accelerate dispute resolution, and reduce the caseload on an already stretched judicial system," Banerjee said.
He emphasized that businesses can now operate with greater confidence, and entrepreneurs can make decisions without the fear of disproportionate consequences.
"CII is confident that these reforms will strengthen investor sentiment, stimulate entrepreneurship, and accelerate India's journey toward becoming a globally competitive, resilient economy. We look forward to continued partnership with the Government to deepen this reform momentum," said Banerjee.