Telangana Assembly Approves Bill to Decriminalise Minor Offences

The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed a key bill aimed at improving the business environment in the state by decriminalising minor offences and regulatory violations. The move is in line with the Centre’s Jan Vishwas framework, which seeks to reduce the burden of criminal penalties for relatively minor violations.

Industries and Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu introduced the Telangana Public Trust (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, in the Assembly. He said the legislation was intended to make compliance easier for businesses while reducing unnecessary litigation and encouraging a more transparent and efficient regulatory system.

Referring to the Centre’s Jan Vishwas legislation, the minister said more than 180 minor offences had been removed from the criminal framework at the national level, with monetary penalties being introduced in their place. Following consultations with different government departments, Telangana officials have identified more than 400 offences that could be considered for decriminalisation.

Sridhar Babu said the proposed changes would help reduce legal disputes, provide scope for settlement in minor cases and improve regulatory efficiency. The government also plans to create greater public awareness about the amended provisions and rules through the Industries Department.

The minister also highlighted the difficulties faced by small entrepreneurs, particularly those from SC, ST, BC and minority communities, in accessing bank credit. He said the government would issue directions to the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) to examine and address these difficulties.

The legislation follows the broader objective of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha on April 1, which seeks to rationalise and decriminalise minor offences across various laws and improve the ease of doing business as well as ease of living.

The Telangana government expects the latest reform to reduce compliance-related hurdles while creating a more business-friendly regulatory environment in the state.