Bill decriminalises minor offences, replaces fines in press and postal laws

The stated goal is to enhance trust-based governance and make it easier to live and do business in India.

Who it concerns: The law affects publishers and owners of newspapers, boiler owners, individuals interacting with reserved or protected forests, agricultural produce traders, drug and cosmetic manufacturers, and rubber industry license holders.

What the bill does

• Amends the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 to allow the Press Registrar to suspend or cancel newspaper registration certificates and impose fines instead of criminal penalties.
• Amends the Boilers Act, 1923 to replace imprisonment with fines for illegal use of boilers, with additional daily fines for continuing offences.
• Amends the Indian Forest Act, 1927 to replace imprisonment with fines for specific minor offences like trespassing or causing damage by negligence in reserved forests.
• Amends the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 to replace imprisonment with substantial monetary penalties (ranging from 3 lakh to 8 lakh rupees) and creates a new role for an 'Adjudicating Officer' to hear cases and impose penalties.
• Amends the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 to replace imprisonment with a minimum fine of five lakh rupees for certain offences.
• Amends the Rubber Act, 1947 to replace imprisonment with fines or license cancellation for certain violations.
• Increases fines and penalties under the amended enactments by 10% of the minimum amount every three years.

Also in the document

• The Bill explicitly aims to 'decriminalise and rationalise minor offences'.
• It repeals specific sections in the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 (Sections 15A to 17 and 19L) and the Indian Post Office Act, 1898 (Chapter X).
• The Act includes a 'Savings' clause stating that the amendments do not affect the validity of actions already taken or rights already acquired before the Act comes into force.