The Haryana government has taken a major step to simplify its laws and make life easier for citizens and businesses. On Friday, the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government officially notified the Haryana Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Ordinance, 2025, which removes jail terms for many minor offences and replaces them with monetary fines.
The move, officials said, is the biggest decriminalisation drive ever undertaken by the state and aims to improve both ease of living and ease of doing business. It brings Haryana in line with the central government’s Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which had similarly removed criminal provisions from several national laws.
The new ordinance, which was approved by the state Cabinet on October 18 and published in the official Gazette on October 30, amends 42 state laws covering different departments. These include very old acts like the Haryana Laws Act, 1872, and new ones such as the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Private Coaching Institutes Act, 2024.
The key aim of the ordinance is to ensure that people and businesses are not punished with imprisonment for minor technical or procedural mistakes. Instead of sending offenders to jail, the government will now impose financial penalties that will be decided by competent authorities after giving the person a chance to present their case.
For example, under the Haryana Control of Bricks Supplies Act, 1949, the old law allowed for up to three years of imprisonment. Under the new rules, that punishment has been replaced by a monetary fine, which will be set by the relevant authority.
Similarly, other laws such as the Haryana Municipal Act, 1973, and the Haryana Requisitioning and Acquisition of Movable Property Act, 1975, have been changed. Earlier, these laws carried a one-year jail term for minor violations. Now, those penalties have been converted into fines.
According to the government, the new rules will make the system more fair, transparent, and efficient. Authorities will still follow proper legal procedures and give everyone a fair hearing before imposing penalties. If someone fails to pay their fine, the amount will be recovered as arrears of land revenue, ensuring the government’s right to collect dues is protected.
Officials have also pointed out that this ordinance helps to remove fear of criminal prosecution among entrepreneurs and small business owners who often face complex regulations. This will make it easier to set up and run businesses in the state without unnecessary legal risks.
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According to Amit Kumar Agarwal, commissioner and secretary of the industries and commerce department, the main purpose of the ordinance is to rationalise offences and build a system based on trust-based governance. He said the new legal framework supports the government’s commitment to improving the Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living in Haryana.
Agarwal added that the industries department has already resolved 23 major issues this year to make it easier for companies to operate. The government is also working on a second version of the ordinance to bring further reforms and eliminate more outdated laws that act as barriers to investment and entrepreneurship.
Among the other acts changed by this ordinance are the Haryana Forest (Sale of Timber) Act, 1913, the Haryana Excise Act, 1914, and the Haryana Registration of Money Lenders Act, 1938. All these laws have been updated to replace jail sentences with monetary penalties or administrative actions.
Officials say that in total, the new ordinance decriminalises 164 provisions contained in 42 state acts that fall under 17 different departments. It also removes obsolete and unnecessary clauses that no longer serve a purpose. This makes the laws more relevant to present-day realities and reduces the compliance burden for businesses.
Government sources said this reform is part of Haryana’s ongoing effort to modernise its legal system and cut down on red tape. It aligns with the Union government’s goal of removing outdated criminal provisions and encouraging a more business-friendly environment across India.
The Cabinet Secretariat, which is coordinating compliance reduction exercises across the country, has recognised Haryana’s move as one of the most significant state-level legal reforms. During the 4th Chief Secretaries Conference, Haryana’s initiative was highlighted as a model for other states to follow.
Officials describe the Haryana Jan Vishwas Ordinance, 2025, as a landmark in the state’s legal reform journey. It focuses on giving people and businesses more freedom while holding them accountable through fair and reasonable penalties.
Instead of criminalising minor errors or paperwork issues, the government wants to encourage voluntary compliance and trust between the state and its citizens. Officials believe that such measures will not only make governance smoother but also attract more investment to Haryana by assuring businesses of a less punitive environment.
The government has promised that this ordinance will be followed by more reforms in the coming months. These efforts will include reviewing old laws, removing overlapping regulations, and ensuring that government departments act in a coordinated and transparent way.
By making this change, the Nayab Singh Saini government hopes to send a strong message — that Haryana is committed to progressive governance, business growth, and citizen-friendly laws. The ordinance marks a shift from punishment to partnership, where the focus is on compliance, fairness, and development rather than fear of prosecution.
As Haryana moves forward with this ambitious legal overhaul, the state stands as an example of how thoughtful lawmaking can promote both economic development and public trust — building a future where doing business and living in the state becomes simpler and more secure for everyone.
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