Government Decriminalizes Key Acts Applicable to Retail Businesses

Decriminalization of the Legal Metrology Act and Food Safety Act, which are applicable to retail businesses on a day-to-day basis will greatly reduce the impediments of operating a retail business in India.

- Shiv Joshi

Retail businesses across the country can breathe a collective sigh of relief as the recently-introduced Jan of Vishwas (Amendment Provisions) Bill 2022 decriminalises certain Acts like the Legal Metrology Act and Food Safety Act. In addition, the Bill rationalises minor offences related these Acts. (Refer page 105 of the Bill.)

"Decriminalisation of large number of minor offences by replacing them with monetary penalties have been identified. The endeavour is not only to make lives and businesses easier but also to reduce judicial burden," said Shri Piyush Goyal, Honourable Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles in The Statement of Objects and Reasons.

"Settlement of large number of issues, by compounding method, adjudication and administrative mechanism, without involving courts, will enable persons to remedy minor contraventions and defaults, sometimes committed unknowingly by them, and save time, energy and resources," he further stated.