After the enactment of the Public Trust (Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Central Government has accelerated steps towards providing major relief in cases related to minor crimes. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has asked all departments to review such pending cases and consider withdrawing them, so that the increasing burden on the courts can be reduced and the life of the common people can be made easier. It is noteworthy that the Parliament approved this important bill on Thursday, under which 784 provisions of 79 central laws have been amended. According to PTI news, through these changes, about 1,000 minor crimes have been rationalized by making them non-criminal. The government believes that this will not only improve the business environment but will also reduce unnecessary legal hassles and harassment.
Process of giving clear guidelines to departments continues
According to the news, according to Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade i.e. DPIIT, these cases will be comprehensively reviewed in view of the new legal provisions. He said that the process of giving clear guidelines to the departments in this regard is going on in collaboration with the Law Ministry. Bhatia also clarified that general advice is already going on regarding the review of cases pending in the courts. In cases where the crimes are not serious, the concerned departments can withdraw the cases by applying to the court.
5 crore cases related to minor crimes
At the same time, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that there are about 5 crore cases in the country which are related to minor crimes and most of these cases should not have reached the court. He expressed hope that after the new law, prosecutors will request the courts to close these cases, which will lead to disposal of a large number of cases. Goyal said that due to these provisions, a situation of uncertainty, corruption and oppression was created at many levels, which is now being ended. He also said that the Central Government is open to suggestions for reviewing the laws in future also. According to the Minister, 12 states have also taken the initiative to decriminalize minor offenses in their laws on the lines of public trust and other states are being encouraged to do the same.
Imprisonment was abolished in 57 provisions
The bill includes several important changes – imprisonment has been abolished in 57 provisions, fines have been removed in 158, while punishment has been reduced in 17 provisions. Apart from this, in 113 provisions, only financial punishment has been made instead of imprisonment and fine. Also, 67 amendments have been proposed in the New Delhi Municipal Council Act, 1994 and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, aimed at simplifying the rules and making life easier for common citizens.
Provision for relief has also been made in matters related to environment. Bhatia said that for the first time violation of air pollution standards, only fine will be imposed and the driving license will be suspended for three months, while for repeat violation, strict provisions will be applicable. Similarly, in cases of noise pollution, only a warning will be given for the first time, while normal legal action will be taken in case of recurrence.