Guv issues Ordinance decriminalising 164 offences across 42 Acts, 17 departments

With Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh promulgating an Ordinance to decriminalise 164 provisions across 42 state Acts covering 17 departments, the state has taken a major step towards trust-based governance aimed at promoting ease of living and ease of doing business.

To be tabled in winter session of Assembly

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- Minor and procedural offences to attract civil or administrative penalties instead of criminal action

- Follows the Central Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which covered 183 provisions across 42 Acts

- To be tabled in the winter session of the Assembly for passage as an Act

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Promulgated under Article 213 of the Constitution of India, the Haryana Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025 replaces obsolete and redundant penal clauses in several Acts. Under the new framework, criminal penalties for minor and technical procedural lapses will now be replaced with civil and administrative actions, thereby reducing harassment and delays for citizens and businesses.

“No penalty shall be imposed by any competent authority in contravention of any provision of the relevant enactment without following the principles of natural justice of hearing,” the ordinance states.

Officials said the Ordinance has been promulgated since the Haryana Assembly is not in session and will be taken up in the upcoming winter session to be converted into an Act.

Describing it as a landmark reform, officials noted that the move represents the most extensive decriminalisation exercise undertaken by any state government to date, designed to make the legal framework more transparent, predictable and citizen-friendly.

The initiative closely aligns with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, enacted by the Central Government, which had decriminalised 183 provisions across 42 central Acts.

“We have replicated the Central model at the state level. Acting on the advisory issued by the Central Government, Haryana has undertaken a comprehensive review of its existing obsolete laws. The ultimate aim is creating a trust-based governance model for the ease of living and ease of business,” said Rajiv Jaitly, media adviser to the Chief Minister.

Officials said the reform is expected to reduce fear of prosecution for minor errors and promote self-compliance, reflecting the government’s broader commitment to reform and simplification.

Another Ordinance on Panchayati Raj

The Governor has also promulgated the Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, amending quorum requirements for Gram Sabha meetings.

Under the new provision, the quorum will now be 40 per cent of members for consideration and approval of eligible beneficiaries under government schemes and preparation of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan. In case of adjourned meetings, the quorum will be 30 per cent for the first adjournment and 20 per cent for the second.

Officials said the amendment aims to streamline rural decision-making and ensure timely implementation of development initiatives at the village level.