Hyderabad: In a major reform initiative, the Telangana govt is working to decriminalise and deregulate select provisions across various departments, aiming to simplify governance and promote ease of doing business (EoDB). As many as 17 state departments across 23 sectors are involved in this effort, which aligns with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, and broader national reform goals.While departments such as forest, labour, and municipal administration have already submitted preliminary proposals, others are in the process of finalising theirs. Central Acts will be handled by the Union govt, while amendments to state laws will be implemented by the state.For instance, the Telangana forest department has proposed removing imprisonment clauses for certain minor offences, replacing them with enhanced monetary penalties. Under the existing Telangana Forest Act, 1967, offences such as tree felling on private land, forest trespass, and encroachments can lead to jail terms ranging from one to six months — often affecting farmers and tribals near forest areas. Under the proposed amendment, tree felling may attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000 — with provisions for sealing timber depots or sawmills found in violation — instead of jail time.A senior forest official said: “The state will amend the Telangana Forest Act, while central Acts such as the Wildlife Protection Act and Forest Conservation Act will be addressed by the Centre.” Some reforms under the Jan Vishwas Act have already been enacted at the central level.Meanwhile, the industries department, the nodal agency for EoDB, is encouraging departments to decriminalise minor infractions and simplify compliance to attract foreign investment. Recognising that certain financial penalties may be viewed as criminal sanctions under international law, some clauses are being relabelled as ‘fees’ rather than fines.A senior official from the department told TOI, “The municipal administration department and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority are working on flexible zoning and building regulations. At present, even industrial units must allocate 33% of land for setbacks, parking, and open spaces, which is a significant disincentive for multinational companies.”Maharashtra was one of the early movers in decriminalisation efforts, while Gujarat implemented wide-ranging reforms under EoDB. Karnataka focused on decriminalising violations in Municipal and Industrial Development Acts. While streamlining regulatory processes and compliances, Uttar Pradesh reduced criminal liability under its industrial and municipal laws. The Telangana industries department is also pushing to streamline labour laws. Currently, establishments that breach working hour norms face criminal penalties. Proposed amendments aim to reduce these penalties and convert them into administrative fees. Additionally, the labour department is working to allow 24×7 operation of commercial establishments, with provisions for shift-based employment.In a parallel development, the state govt is also preparing to amend recruitment rules to enable employment of persons affected by leprosy, in compliance with a Supreme Court directive. The law department has asked all departments to submit details of posts currently not available to such individuals, with a view to tabling relevant legislation in the upcoming assembly sessions.
