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Key Points

The Odisha government has taken a significant step towards trust-based governance by approving the Jan Vishwas Ordinance 2025. This landmark reform aims to decriminalize minor regulatory offences across 16 state Acts, replacing criminal penalties with proportionate civil sanctions. The ordinance covers diverse sectors including municipal governance, labour welfare, and cooperative societies. By reducing compliance burdens and litigation costs, the state hopes to enhance investor confidence and create a more business-friendly environment.

Key Points: Odisha Jan Vishwas Ordinance 2025 Decriminalizes Regulatory Offences

  • Decriminalizes minor regulatory offences across 16 state Acts
  • Replaces imprisonment with graded civil penalties
  • Covers municipal, labour, and other key regulatory areas
  • Aims to streamline compliance and reduce litigation costs
2 min read

Odisha Cabinet approves Jan Vishwas Ordinance 2025 to decriminalise minor regulatory offences

Odisha Cabinet approves landmark ordinance to replace criminal penalties with civil sanctions across 16 state Acts, boosting ease of doing business.

"These reforms enhance the Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living - Odisha Government Press Statement"

Bhubaneswar, Oct 10

The Odisha Cabinet on Friday approved several key proposals, including the Odisha Jan Vishwas Ordinance, 2025, which aims to decriminalise minor regulatory offences and streamline compliance across 16 state Acts.

The state cabinet during a meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday gave its nod to 15 proposals of ten departments. In a major step toward trust-based governance, the Government of Odisha has approved the Odisha Jan Vishwas Ordinance, 2025, aimed at decriminalizing minor regulatory offences and streamlining compliance across 16 state Acts.

"The Government of Odisha (GoO) today announced the approval of the Odisha Jan Vishwas Ordinance, 2025, a landmark legal reform to decriminalise minor and procedural regulatory offences, rationalise penalties, and eliminate redundant compliance burdens from selected State legislation," said the state government in a press statement on Friday.

The ordinance aligns with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 of the Government of India, which advocates replacing criminal penalties for non-serious defaults with proportionate civil sanctions.

Odisha's reform initiative involved nine departments and a comprehensive review of outdated 16 state acts. The key highlights the ordinance replaces imprisonment and criminal fines for minor offences with graded civil penalties.

It ensured faster Resolution with authorised officials adjudicating enquiries and appeals, reducing litigation costs and delays. The ordinance covers laws related to governing municipal governance, gambling, labour welfare, fire safety, excise, electricity duty, and cooperative societies, among others.

The acts under reform following the approval of the ordinance includes, Odisha Nurses and Midwives Registration Act, 1938, Odisha Municipal Act, 1950, Odisha Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955, Odisha Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1956, Odisha Town Planning and Improvement Trust Act, 1956, Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, etc.

"Together, these reforms enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Ease of Living (EoL), strengthening investor confidence and positioning Odisha as a more accessible, citizen-centric, and growth-oriented State.As Odisha advances toward its goal of Viksit Odisha, this ordinance exemplifies how good governance, citizen-friendly law, and investor confidence can go hand in hand -- supporting economic growth, social welfare, and sustainable development," the state govt further added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move by CM Majhi government. Decriminalizing minor offences will reduce harassment of common people and small entrepreneurs. Hope this reduces corruption too!
A
Arun Y
While I appreciate the intent, I hope this doesn't become an excuse to weaken important regulations. Fire safety and labour welfare laws need proper enforcement, not just reduced penalties.
S
Sarah B
As someone who recently started a small business in Bhubaneswar, this is very encouraging! The compliance process was overwhelming for a new entrepreneur. This reform will definitely boost confidence.
M
Manish T
Reforms in Acts from 1938 to 1956 shows how outdated our laws were! Better late than never. This is what Viksit Odisha should mean - modern laws for modern times. 👍
K
Kavya N
Reducing litigation costs and delays is much needed. Our courts are already overburdened with cases. Hope this ordinance is implemented properly at ground level.

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