The Bhajan Lal Sharma Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Rajasthan Jan Vishwas ordinance, which aims to improve “ease of living and ease of doing business” and is similar to the Centre’s Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel and Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara stated that the cabinet meeting also approved the Non Resident Rajasthani Policy, Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy, and Rajasthan Tourism Policy.

Patel stated that the Jan Vishwas legislation is being introduced “to promote ease of living and ease of doing business” while also reducing litigation. He stated that it has been determined to replace criminal consequences, such as incarceration for minor infractions or technical errors in numerous acts, with penalties.

The minister stated that the legislation eliminates criminal clauses from 11 Acts. For example, he stated that the Rajasthan Forest Act of 1953 has a provision for jail for grazing livestock on forest territory. Until today, the punishment for this offence was up to six months in prison, a Rs 500 fine, or both. Following the change, a Rs 5,000 punishment would be issued for this infringement. The guilty will also be obliged to pay legal compensation for any forest damage. This modification will benefit tribals and villages who mistakenly access forest territory while grazing cattle,” he said.

He further stated that the Rajasthan State Aid to Industries Act of 1961 allows for jail for minor procedural violations committed by persons in charge of an industry receiving help, such as neglecting to present books, accounts, or other documents for examination. These criminal prohibitions are being deleted from the Act, and penalties will be imposed instead.

Next, he stated that the Jaipur Water Supply and Sewerage Board Act, 2018, included a provision for imprisonment for water wastage, misuse, use for non-domestic purposes, obstruction in the Board’s sewerage line, making connection to the sewer line without written permission, and so on, which has been removed and replaced with a fine provision.

In another significant decision, the period for applying for a compassionate appointment has been extended.

According to Patel, the present guidelines require the dependent of a deceased government employee to apply for a compassionate appointment within 90 days of the employee’s death. However, the cabinet has decided to extend the time restriction for applying for a compassionate appointment from 90 to 180 days. This amendment will give the dependent of the deceased government employee the time to prepare necessary documents and affidavits for compassionate appointment, he explained.

The cabinet also approved the Non Resident Rajasthani (NRR) Policy to increase the contribution and engagement of overseas Rajasthanis, as well as the Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy, which will provide more opportunities for small businessmen, and the Rajasthan Tourism Policy, which will encourage investment in tourism.

Minister Godara stated that the Rajasthan Trade Promotion Policy is aimed at the state’s over 10.5 lakh shops, and that the policy seeks to provide these small traders with equal possibilities as larger firms, e-commerce platforms, and logistical networks. The cabinet also accepted a plan to allocate an extra 15 acres of land for Kishangarh Airport.