Maharashtra Cabinet Approves Jan Vishwas Ordinance Amendments to Streamline State Regulations

In a decisive move aimed at simplifying bureaucratic processes and encouraging economic activity, Maharashtra’s state cabinet approved amendments to the Jan Vishwas Ordinance on Tuesday, January 5, 2025. The ordinance, which seeks to decriminalise or rationalise minor offences across a range of state statutes, is expected to make it easier for employers, investors and, notably, international students to navigate the state’s regulatory landscape.

Background and Context

The Jan Vishwas Act, introduced by the Centre in 2023, set a precedent for decriminalising low‑level penalties across Indian legislation. With the state cabinet’s latest approval, Maharashtra joined a growing list of states that are modernising labour, revenue, medical education and public health statutes to align with central reforms. The changes are part of a broader initiative led by the cabinet secretariat’s newly instituted Deregulation Cell, which conducts periodic reviews of state acts to remove redundant provisions. State officials cited a review at the Chief Secretaries’ Conference in December 2024, where 31 acts were examined and 26 identified for decriminalisation or rationalisation. This step comes amid growing demand for streamlined visa and work‑permission processes for international students studying in Mumbai’s universities and research institutions.

Key Developments

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 will amend seven state rules across five departments:

• Labour – Changes to the Maharashtra Industrial Relations Act (1946), Recognition of Trade Unions Act (1971) and Shops and Establishments Act (2017).
• Revenue – A revision of the Maharashtra Stamp Duty Act (1958).
• Medical Education & Drugs – Amendments to the Maharashtra Medical Council Act (1965).
• Finance – Updates to the Maharashtra State Profession, Trade, Livelihood and Employment Tax Act (1975).
• Public Health – Tweaks to the Maharashtra Nursing Home Registration Act (1949).

All changes mirror the Centre’s Jan Vishwas framework, repealing or rationalising punitive provisions that have long deterred businesses and students alike. The ordinance will also bring consistency with the National Jan Vishwas Act, creating a seamless regulatory environment across federal and state lines.

Impact Analysis for Students and Businesses

For international students studying in Mumbai, the amendments mean fewer bureaucratic hurdles for employment and internships. Key benefits:

• Limited or removed penalties for minor infractions such as late submission of work permits or minor violations of university housing rules.
• Simplified licence and registration procedures for student‑run start‑ups, reducing the need for costly legal counsel.
• Clearer guidelines on employment contracts, mitigating the risk of inadvertent non‑compliance that could jeopardise a student’s visa status.

For businesses, especially SMEs and start‑ups fighting to secure talent, the ordinance reduces administrative overheads. Company heads will face:

• Fewer sanctions for informal store set–ups or flex‑work arrangements, allowing more agile workforce deployment.
• Streamlined tax filings under the revised employment tax act, lowering compliance costs.
• Direct access to de‑criminalised registration processes for medical and educational services, crucial for health‑tech and ed‑tech ventures.

Public trust is expected to rise as the government demonstrates a commitment to reducing punitive strictures that have historically stifled entrepreneurship and academic collaboration.

Expert Insights and Practical Tips

According to Dr. Aditi Sharma, a regulatory affairs consultant who has liaised with student visa applicants, “The Jan Vishwas Ordinance provides a more forgiving environment for pioneering projects. Students launching research labs or entrepreneurial ventures can now navigate permitting without the looming threat of disciplinary action for procedural delays.”

Additionally, Mr. Rohan Patel, head of the Maharashtra Deregulation Cell, advises adherence to the following steps:

1. Verify Compliance Updates – Regularly consult the updated act texts or use e‑government portals to confirm that the latest provisions are in force.
2. Maintain Documentation – Keep detailed records of any minor infractions; post‑amendment, certain penalties may be waived but documentation remains essential.
3. Seek Institutional Guidance – Universities often have compliance officers who can interpret how the new statutes affect student work‑permits and internships.
4. Leverage Legal Clinics – Law schools in Mumbai frequently run free clinics that can assist students in understanding the new legislative landscape.

Students planning to start a business or undertake a research project should also contact international student offices early to ensure that their visa and work‑permit paperwork aligns with the new rules.

Looking Ahead

The ordinance sets a benchmark that other states are likely to emulate. Maharashtra’s partnership with the Vidi Center for Legal Policy signals a national trend toward harmonising state and central regulations. Future developments may include:

• Full implementation of digital filing systems across all amended departments.
• Inter‑governmental dialogues to harmonise Jan Vishwas‑style reforms in sectors such as transportation, tourism and agriculture.
• Monitoring mechanisms to assess the ordinance’s impact on employment rates and start‑up activity among international nationals.

Stakeholders should remain alert to subsequent amendments as the Maharashtra government rolls out detailed guidelines on how the ordinance will be enforced, especially in the context of the country’s evolving immigration and education policies.

Reach out to us for personalized consultation based on your specific requirements.