T'gana Assembly passes bill to decriminalise minor offences

metro india news  I hyderabad

The Telangana Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed a bill aimed at improving ease of doing business and decriminalising minor offences, in line with Centre's Jan Vishwas legislation. State Legislative Affairs and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu said the Telanagna Praja Viswasam (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026 has been drafted in accordance with the Central legislation, which decriminalised over 180 minor offences and replaced them with monetary penalties.

He said the objectives of the bill also include providing scope for compromise in certain offences of law to reduce legal disputes, improving transparency and regulatory efficiency and scrapping outdated and unnecessary legislations. Replying to the debate, he said the Industries department officials held consultations with various other departments and identified over 400 offences that can be decriminalised to promote ease of doing business.

The industries department would make efforts to create awareness on rules and regulations of the legislation, he said.

Responding to concerns raised by members, he said the government would instruct the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) to address the difficulties faced by small businessmen, especially those belonging to SC, ST, OBC and minority communities, in securing loans from banks. The Lok Sabha on April 1 passed the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, to amend certain provisions in different laws for decriminalising and rationalising minor offences to further promote ease of doing business and living.

Sridhar Babu tables CURE Bill

IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu introduced the Core Urban Region (Integrated Governance) Bill-2026 in the Assembly on Saturday, outlining a vision to transform Hyderabad into a sustainable "Blue and Green City" capable of competing globally.

Speaking on the bill, the Minister said the legislation creates a statutory framework to streamline civic administration and anticipate the capital’s infrastructure requirements over the next 30 years. As part of this overhaul, the government plans to condense sections within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Act, divide GHMC into three municipal corporations, and establish a CURE apex governing council chaired by the Chief Minister. "We must preserve Hyderabad’s glorious past while preparing the city for future demands," he said.

Sridhar Babu stated, highlighting key infrastructure approvals including ₹7,345.12 crore for Phase 1 of the Musi River rejuvenation and projects to draw 20 TMC of Godavari water to the city. "The government intends to treat sewage and use the recycled water for afforestation and pollution control," he said.

The Minister reiterated the state’s Telangana Rising 2047 policy, aiming to expand the state's economy to $1 trillion by 2034 through large-scale investment and a Comprehensive Mobility Plan.