Govt Proposes To Do Away With Jail Term

NEW DELHI: In a reprieve for first-time offenders, govt has proposed to do away with a jail term of up to three months for driving a vehicle violating the prescribed road safety and air and noise pollution norms.As part of the 784 provisions, across 79 central laws, which are to be amended through the Jan Vishwas Bill, with several related to decriminalisation, govt has proposed that driving a vehicle, violating road safety or air-pollution control norms — which currently attracts up to three months’ jail or a fine of Rs 10,000 and six months disqualification to hold driving licence (DL) — will be punishable with a penalty of Rs 10,000 and disqualification for holding DL for three months for the first offence. Subsequent offences will, however, attract up to six months in jail and a penalty of up to Rs 10,000.In the case of noise pollution-related violations, the bill proposes a warning for the first offence, while repeat offence will attract a penalty of up to Rs 10,000.Similarly, failure to comply with an order or contravening provisions of the Electricity Act or rules, which can currently land a person in jail for three months along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh, is proposed to be converted into a fine of Rs 10,000 to Rs 10 Lakh.Compounding, which is an option for one-time settlement, is sought to be mandated for first instances of power theft or interference with meters or works of licensee and intentionally injuring works.Further, in a relief to homebuyers, the bill has proposed to remove the existing provision of maximum one-year jail for an allottee who fails to comply with orders from the Real Estate Appellate Tribunal. The penalty for allottees is proposed to be enhanced up to 10% of the cost of the property.In yet another move to decriminalise unauthorised hawking in trains, govt has proposed to amend a section of the Railways Act to convert up to one year jail and Rs 1,000-2,000 fine to a only penalty of up to Rs 2,000.