Omar Abdullah Tables Jan Vishwas Ordinance to Decriminalise Minor Offences in J&K
J&K Jan Vishwas Ordinance, 2025 Tabled to Ease Legal Burden and Promote Trust-Based Governance
JAMMU, Feb 3: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday tabled The Jammu and Kashmir Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025 (Ordinance No. 01 of 2025) in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, marking a significant step towards legal reform and trust-based governance in the Union Territory.
The Ordinance proposes amendments to a range of existing laws with the objective of decriminalising minor and technical offences and introducing rationalisation across multiple sectors. The move is aimed at reducing the burden of criminal litigation, simplifying compliance requirements and fostering a more citizen-friendly and business-friendly regulatory environment.
By seeking to replace criminal penalties for minor violations with civil or administrative penalties in several statutes, the Ordinance aligns with the broader national objective of improving ease of living and ease of doing business, while ensuring that regulatory frameworks remain effective and proportionate.
Government sources said the Jan Vishwas Ordinance reflects a shift from a punitive approach to one that emphasises facilitation, transparency and voluntary compliance. The amendments are intended to remove outdated or excessive penal provisions that often result in unnecessary harassment of individuals and entrepreneurs for minor infractions.
The tabling of the Ordinance also underscores the government’s commitment to modernising the legal framework in Jammu and Kashmir and making governance more responsive to the needs of citizens, traders, small businesses and investors.
It is expected that the proposed changes will encourage greater compliance, reduce fear of criminal prosecution for technical lapses and create a more predictable regulatory ecosystem.
The Ordinance will now be taken up for detailed discussion and scrutiny by the House before being considered for conversion into an Act.
Officials said the initiative forms part of a wider reform agenda aimed at streamlining laws, improving administrative efficiency and strengthening public trust in institutions.
With the introduction of the Jan Vishwas Ordinance, the Jammu and Kashmir government has signalled its intention to move towards a progressive legal regime that balances accountability with compassion and practicality, while continuing to safeguard public interest and regulatory oversight.
