Odisha Passes Jan Vishwas Amendment Bill to Ease Business Compliance

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has passed the Odisha Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, with the objective of creating a more business-friendly and trust-based governance environment. The move aligns with the central government’s Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, both designed to decriminalise minor offences and simplify compliance procedures for citizens and businesses.

The state bill seeks to amend 16 existing laws, including the Odisha Nurses and Midwives Registration Act, 1938, and the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950. These amendments replace imprisonment clauses for minor violations with civil penalties, significantly reducing the burden of legal compliance. By removing criminal consequences for procedural lapses, the government aims to promote ease of doing business and streamline governance.

A key feature of the bill is the establishment of administrative courts to ensure quicker redressal of minor offences. The bill also converts various fines into civil penalties and rationalises financial penalties to ensure fairness, uniformity and timely updates. Officials believe these provisions will help cut litigation expenses, encourage investment, and strengthen a trust-based framework between citizens and the state.

Several states, including Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Tripura, have already implemented similar reforms. The central government’s Jan Vishwas Act and the 2025 Amendment Bill emphasise replacing imprisonment with proportionate penalties to support smoother compliance processes. Odisha’s adoption of this framework is expected to simplify administration and promote sustainable economic growth.