The state government has launched Phase I of decriminalization by identifying 42 minor offenses under 13 laws administered by eight ministries as part of its broader deregulation drive to realize the Speed of Doing Business vision. The proposals have been provisionally approved by the concerned departments and are in the final stage of scrutiny. The government aims to complete the process by the end of this month, according to a presentation by Industry and Commerce Secretary N. Yuvaraj at a meeting of ministers and secretaries on Monday.
This exercise is being carried out in accordance with the Jan Vishwas Provisions Amendment Act, which was passed by Parliament in August 2023. The aim of the Act is to amend existing laws by decriminalizing or rationalizing less serious offences, thereby reducing unnecessary criminal provisions and promoting trust-based governance to improve ease of life and business.
Among the laws identified, the AP Milk Purchase Act to protect farmers and enforce milk safety standards has the highest number of provisions in 2023, with 13 minor offenses proposed to be decriminalized. It is followed by AP Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 with six provisions, AP Excise Act, 1968 with five, and AP Metropolitan Region and Urban Development Authority Act, 2016 with four. Three provisions have been identified under the AP Fire Services Act, 1999 and the AP Regulation of Production and Sale of Bovine Semen and Artificial Insemination Services Act, 2021. Two provisions relate to the AP Land Reforms Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings Act, 1973, with each provision identified under several other laws, industrial corridors and corridors, panchayats. establishments, regulation of feed and prohibition of cow slaughter.
A key change proposed in this decriminalization is to replace criminal sanctions such as imprisonment with civil penalties, monetary fines or administrative actions for minor and technical violations. This is expected to reduce compliance burdens, prevent criminalization of procedural errors and encourage voluntary compliance by citizens and businesses.
Meanwhile, Phase II of deregulation was launched last month. At this stage, the government adopted 12 single-ministerial reforms and 15 inter-ministerial reforms along with six optional priority areas. These are currently being reviewed by the relevant departments. In addition, the state plans to introduce a comprehensive bill that would streamline compliance-heavy provisions that are spread across various laws and rules administered by various government agencies, with the goal of further simplifying the regulatory framework.
Published – 09 Feb 2026 20:32 IST
