Andhra Pradesh govt. to decriminalise 42 minor offences to boost speed of doing business

The State government has initiated Phase I of decriminalisation by identifying 42 minor offences under 13 Acts administered by eight departments, as part of its broader deregulation drive to realise the Speed of Doing Business vision. The proposals have received provisional approval from the concerned departments and are in the final stages of vetting. The government aims to complete the process by the end of this month, according to a presentation made by Industries and Commerce Department Secretary N. Yuvaraj at the meeting of Ministers and Secretaries held on Monday.

This exercise is being undertaken in line with the Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Act, passed by Parliament in August 2023. The objective of the Act is to amend existing laws by decriminalising or rationalising minor offences, thereby reducing unnecessary penal provisions and promoting trust-based governance to improve Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.

Among the Acts identified, the A.P. Milk Procurement Protection of Farmers and Enforcement of Safety of Milk Standards Act, 2023 accounts for the highest number of provisions, with 13 minor offences proposed for decriminalisation. This is followed by the A.P. Capital Region Development Authority Act, 2014 with six provisions, the A.P. Excise Act, 1968 with five, and the A.P. Metropolitan Region and Urban Development Authorities Act, 2016 with four. Three provisions each have been identified under the A.P. Fire Services Act, 1999 and the A.P. Bovine Regulation of Production and Sale of Bovine Semen and Artificial Insemination Services Act, 2021. Two provisions pertain to the A.P. Land Reforms Ceiling on Agricultural Holdings Act, 1973, while one provision each has been identified under several other Acts, including those relating to municipalities, panchayat raj, industrial corridors, factories and establishments, animal feed regulation and prohibition of cow slaughter.

The key change proposed under this decriminalisation exercise is the replacement of criminal penalties such as imprisonment with civil penalties, monetary fines or administrative actions for minor and technical violations. This is expected to reduce compliance burden, avoid criminalisation for procedural lapses and encourage voluntary compliance by citizens and businesses.

Meanwhile, Phase II of deregulation has commenced last month. Under this phase, the government has taken up 12 single-department reforms and 15 inter-departmental reforms, along with six optional priority areas. These are currently under examination by the respective departments. In addition, the State plans to introduce an Omnibus Bill to rationalise compliance-heavy provisions spread across various Acts and Rules administered by different government agencies, with the aim of further simplifying the regulatory framework.