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NEW DELHI: The government has shortlisted 128 provisions across 28 Acts covering various ministries and departments to decriminalise minor offences, a move aimed at declogging courts and promoting ease of doing business and ease of living.
The effort has been led by the cabinet secretary and aims to substitute criminal liability with stiff compoundable monetary penalties of a civil nature that can act as deterrents and help boost investor sentiment.
Secretaries of different departments have also been told to identify more laws that can be added to the list. Cabinet secretary Rajiv Gauba has written to all secretaries asking them to undertake a comprehensive review of all legislations under their administrative control for decriminalisation or review.
They have also been asked to prepare specific timelines as well the draft bill. Inputs and suggestions from the public and all stakeholders will be sought before finalising the changes, sources said. Decriminalisation of minor offences is a major thrust area of the government as part of move to overhaul governance.
Already, the government has taken the ordinance route to decriminalise minor offences under the Companies Act.
