The Government of Andhra Pradesh on March 04, 2026, issued the Andhra Pradesh Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 to repeal and amend certain enactments for decriminalising and rationalising certain offences to further enhance trust-based governance for ease of living and ease of doing business in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The Andhra Pradesh Government has proposed amendments to multiple State laws to promote trust-based governance, improve ease of living, and enhance the business environment. The move addresses concerns that existing laws impose imprisonment for minor procedural or technical violations, leading to unnecessary litigation, burden on courts, and discouragement of investment.
Inspired by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, the State plans to decriminalize minor offences by replacing imprisonment provisions with monetary penalties, updating fines to reflect current economic realities, and allowing compounding of certain offences. The amendments will apply to several key Acts related to municipal governance, excise, land reforms, industrial development, and regulatory administration.
Additionally, two outdated laws related to drainage cess and non-delta drainage areas will be repealed. The reforms also propose administrative adjudication mechanisms, graded penalties based on severity, and improved regulatory transparency.
Overall, the Bill aims to create a balanced, non-adversarial regulatory framework that strengthens investor confidence, reduces legal burdens, and enhances citizen trust in governance.
[L. A. Bill No. 13 of 2026]
