Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain places reform legislation before House amid push to streamline licences, penalties and regulatory approvals
GTNS ,SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 , BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed the introduction of the Odisha Jan Vishwas Bill, 2026, with Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain placing the proposed legislation before the House.
The Bill represents the next phase of Odisha’s regulatory reform programme and follows the Odisha Jan Vishwas Act, 2025. The proposed framework seeks to reduce procedural complications for citizens and businesses by revisiting a range of licensing, approval and penalty-related provisions.
According to details released after the State Cabinet approved the Bill earlier this month, the legislation proposes changes in 62 provisions spread across 16 State Acts administered by 11 departments.
Two-track reform approach
The proposed amendments have been arranged under two schedules.
The first schedule covers 35 amendments across 11 Acts, primarily dealing with the treatment of minor, technical and procedural violations. The second contains 27 amendments across five Acts, focusing on rationalising nine regulatory approval processes.
The proposed changes include replacing certain criminal consequences for minor violations with proportionate monetary penalties, updating outdated penalty provisions and simplifying administrative or appellate procedures.
Fewer repetitive permissions
Another significant component of the Bill relates to business permissions and regulatory approvals.
The proposed framework seeks to extend the validity of selected licences and registrations, reduce repetitive renewal requirements and introduce intimation-based registration or No Objection Certificate mechanisms in areas where such an approach is considered appropriate.
It also seeks to address situations where businesses are required to obtain multiple permissions from different authorities for activities already covered by an equivalent local approval.
From punishment-heavy provisions to compliance reform
The legislation places emphasis on distinguishing between serious violations and minor procedural lapses. The stated objective is to reduce unnecessary litigation and delays while making regulatory requirements more predictable.
The Industries Department has said the proposed reforms are intended to reduce compliance costs and procedural friction and improve administrative efficiency and regulatory certainty.
With the Bill now placed before the Assembly, its legislative journey will determine the final shape and implementation of the proposed changes.
GTNS | BHUBANESWAR