The sweeping legislation aims to overhaul India's regulatory framework by replacing criminal penalties for minor and procedural offences with civil and administrative measures, the Business Linereported.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking in the Upper House, said the Bill is rooted in trust-based governance. "There will be fear in those who break the law knowingly," he said.

He added that through this reform, they have attempted to "provide protection through adequate civil mechanisms" and "tried to bring swift and proportionate penalties."

Addressing concerns about dilution of key laws, Goyal assured the House that "very strict and severe criminal punishment" remains in place for those involved in manufacturing, importing or selling spurious drugs without regulatory approval.

The Bill proposes changes to 784 provisions across 79 Central Acts administered by 23 Ministries.

Of these, 717 provisions are being decriminalised to promote ease of doing business, while 67 amendments target improvements in ease of living. In all, over 1,000 offences are being rationalised, with outdated and redundant provisions being weeded out.

Under the new framework, imprisonment for minor defaults will be replaced with monetary penalties or warnings.

A graded enforcement system is being introduced, with lighter action for first-time violations and fines calibrated to the severity of the offence.

The Bill also provides for appointing Adjudicating Officers and setting up Appellate Authorities to ensure time-bound resolution.

Officials said the changes are designed to ease the litigation burden on courts and speed up case disposal while upholding principles of natural justice.

The Bill also includes 67 amendments to the New Delhi Municipal Council Act and the Motor Vehicles Act.

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