The Gujarat Legislative Assembly has passed amendments to 11 state laws to replace imprisonment provisions for minor compliance lapses with monetary penalties. The move, aligned with the Centre’s Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, aims to promote ease of doing business and reduce litigation risks for entrepreneurs and small enterprises.
Among the laws amended are the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act, Labour Welfare Fund Act, Agricultural Produce Market Committees Act, Electricity Duty Act, Municipalities Act, Town Planning and Urban Development Act, and others. Offences that previously carried jail terms for routine licensing or procedural violations will now attract fines or compounding mechanisms.
The government projects that decriminalisation will improve the state’s business climate and regulatory efficiency. Critics, however, may question whether such reforms adequately safeguard workers’ rights, consumer interests, and municipal accountability.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: How should states balance regulatory decriminalisation with ensuring compliance, equity, and accountability in critical sectors?
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https://cms.neva.gov.in/NeVA/GJ/FileStructures//Notices/f6317359-1afe-4aa5-8297-137e46423642.pdf
