MP Shri Niranjan Bishi Remarks on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025
New Delhi — During the discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Niranjan Bishi raised important concerns regarding the intent and implementation of the Bill, which has been presented in the name of “Jan Vishwas” (public trust).
Shri Bishi questioned whether trust can be built merely by amending provisions, or whether it requires deeper accountability, justice, and sincerity in governance.
Shri Niranjan Bishi stated that while the Government claims the Bill aims to decriminalize minor offences and improve the ease of doing business, the ground reality,especially in states like Odisha remain different as Small traders, forest dwellers, Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Casts, Farmers, Women and innocent Citizens continue to face harassment due to excessive regulations, while bureaucratic control persists and accountability remains weak.
Shri Bishi further questioned whether the Bill is truly about “Jan Vishwas” or primarily focused on easing compliance for large entities.
Highlighting concerns over selective amendments, Shri Bishi pointed out that while certain provisions are being decriminalized, larger structural issues remain unaddressed. He raised concerns over continued criminalization of minor livelihood activities and the penalization of tribal communities for accessing forest resources, which are part of their traditional rights.
Shri Niranjan Bishi emphasized that such contradictions undermine the very objective of the Bill.
Drawing attention to tribal communities, Shri Bishi stated that in regions like Odisha, forest produce is not merely a commodity but a vital source of livelihood. He stressed that minor procedural violations should not result in penalties or fear of legal action.
Shri Niranjan Bishi further noted that the Bill lacks:
Explicit safeguards for Scheduled Tribes
Protection under the Forest Rights framework
Clear directions to prevent administrative harassment
Without these provisions, he cautioned, “Jan Vishwas” risks becoming only a slogan.Because innocent Tribals are being implicated in false cases by the police personnel, Forest Officers and Excise department.
Ease of Doing Business vs Ease of Living
While acknowledging the Government’s focus on ease of doing business, Shri Bishi emphasized the need to equally prioritize the ease of living for the poor. He cited the challenges faced by farmers,Workers, Women, SCs, STs communities, and small entrepreneurs who continue to operate under fear of legal and administrative action.
Shri Niranjan Bishi asserted that true trust must begin with the last person in the queue.
Shri Bishi also raised concerns regarding federal principles, noting that states,being key implementers of laws must be meaningfully consulted. He emphasized that true “Jan Vishwas” should also reflect trust between the Centre and the States.
Through the Chair, Shri Bishi put forward the following demands:
Clear safeguards for poor, farmers,SCs, STs categories,Backward Classes
Mechanisms to prevent misuse of decriminalized provisions
Greater consultation with states
Accountability of officials to prevent grassroots-level harassment.
Shri Bishi concluded by stating that trust cannot be legislated through words alone it must be experienced by the people. He cautioned that if laws continue to favour the powerful while ignoring the vulnerable, “Jan Vishwas” will remain a slogan without substance.
Shri Niranjan Bishi urged the Government not to reduce the Bill to a headline reform, but to transform it into a truly people-centric reform, ensuring a transition from “Ease of Doing Business” to “Ease of Living with Dignity.”
