Goa Government tables 'Jan Vishwas Bill' to decriminalise minor offences
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Bills, Acts & ordinances· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
The Goa government introduced the 'Jan Vishwas Bill' to decriminalize minor offenses like illegal construction and waste management violations by replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties.
Background
The Bill proposes amending over a dozen State laws, including those related to excise, fire services, land revenue, municipalities, and public health. It aims to shift from a criminal justice approach to a trust-based governance model for minor regulatory infractions.
Facts for Prelims
- Act / BillJan Vishwas Bill: Proposed legislation by the Goa government to decriminalize minor offenses.
- FactThe Bill targets violations in excise, fire services, land revenue, municipalities, and public health.
- FactProposed penalty mechanism: Replacement of imprisonment with monetary penalties for minor offenses.
For Mains
Q. Discuss how decriminalizing minor regulatory offenses can enhance the 'Ease of Doing Business' while ensuring effective regulatory oversight in a state like Goa.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Regulatory shift: Transitioning from punitive criminal sanctions to a trust-based compliance model
- Compliance burden: Reducing administrative hurdles for small businesses and individual property owners
- Enforcement balance: Maintaining public safety and environmental standards through financial deterrents instead of incarceration
Keywords: Trust-based governance · Ease of Doing Business · Decriminalization · Regulatory oversight · Compliance burden
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