In a landmark move to foster trust-based governance and ease regulatory burdens, the Odisha Cabinet has approved the Odisha Jan Vishwas Ordinance, 2025.
This ordinance decriminalises non-serious and procedural offences under various state laws. It replaces imprisonment with fines and streamlined penalties to simplify business operations and daily life for citizens.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, described the ordinance as a “milestone step” toward establishing a trustworthy and accessible administration. It aligns with the central government’s Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The ordinance harmonises state regulations with national reforms. It shifts minor regulatory and administrative violations from criminal penalties to civil fines. This significantly reduces compliance burdens.
To formulate the ordinance, the state government conducted a systematic review of 165 state laws across nine departments. The measure impacts 16 key state acts, including the Odisha Nurses and Midwives Registration Act, 1938. Additionally, it affects the Odisha Agricultural Produce Markets Act, 1956, the Odisha Municipal Act, 1950, and the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956. It also includes the Odisha Electricity (Duty) Act, 1961, the Odisha Development Authorities Act, 1982, and the Odisha Value Added Tax Act, 2004, among others. Under these laws, non-serious violations will now be resolved through monetary penalties. This change makes compliance more straightforward and less intimidating.
Odisha Jan Vishwas Ordinance 2025: Key Features
Decriminalisation of Minor Offences: Imprisonment provisions for procedural lapses and non-serious defaults are eliminated. They are replaced by a graded system of civil penalties.
Penalty Rationalisation: Adjustments to the fine structure ensure proportionality. Reduced limits are set for procedural errors, with scaled penalties based on the severity of regulatory breaches.
Simplified Adjudication Processes: Investigations and appeals will be handled by empowered authorities. This bypasses lengthy court proceedings, cutting down on time, costs, and case backlogs.
Ahuja emphasised that the ordinance will dramatically slash criminal litigation and judicial expenses. It will also alleviate regulatory pressures on businesses and individuals. “This will expedite dispute resolution, decongest courts, and boost administrative efficiency,” he said. By enhancing the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Ease of Living (EoL) indices, the reform is poised to instill greater investor confidence. It will position Odisha as a citizen-friendly, growth-oriented state.
The initiative aligns with the vision of “Viksit Odisha” (Developed Odisha). It promotes economic growth, social welfare, and sustainable development. The approach encourages voluntary compliance by making penalties fair and deterrent. They are effective without being overly punitive. This ultimately creates a more enabling environment for entrepreneurship and everyday governance.
As the ordinance moves toward formal enactment, stakeholders anticipate it will serve as a model for other states in regulatory simplification.
