JAMMU, October 7, 2026 – In a significant move aimed at regulatory reform and boosting economic growth, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has given his official assent to six critical bills recently passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The legislation, which cleared the Assembly during its autumn session held from September 21 to September 30, focuses on simplifying governance, decriminalizing minor offenses, and improving the region’s business climate.
According to official sources, the six approved bills include the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Bill, the Jan Vishwas Bill, the J&K Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, and the J&K Municipal (Amendment) Bill, among others. The passage of these laws marks a major step toward structural and administrative reforms within the Union Territory.
The cornerstone of the newly approved legislation is the Jan Vishwas Bill, which is designed to bolster trust-based governance by decriminalizing minor, outdated, and technical offenses across various sectors. By transitioning from punitive criminal actions to more lenient civil remedies and financial penalties, the government aims to eliminate the fear of criminal prosecution for minor procedural lapses, thereby reducing the compliance burden on individuals and enterprises.
Coupled with the J&K Ease of Doing Business Bill, these reforms are expected to serve as a guiding principle for future regulatory amendments. Consolidated changes across different departments with a common objective will save substantial time and costs for both the government and local businesses. Following the LG’s nod, the respective administrative departments have been directed to formulate and issue detailed operational guidelines to effectively implement the provisions on the ground.
In another significant welfare measure introduced through these legislative amendments, the government has broadened the scope of family pensions. Under the new provisions, widowed and divorced daughters have now been officially included within the definition of “family” for the purpose of availing the family pension of former legislators.
Published by True Roots Media Network