Goa Government Tables Bill to Decriminalize Minor Offenses, Replace Jail with Fines

The Goa government has introduced the Jan Vishwas (Laws Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Assembly to decriminalize minor offenses across various state laws. The bill proposes replacing imprisonment with monetary penalties for violations related to illegal construction, land misuse, waste dumping, and public space obstruction. This initiative aims to enhance trust-based governance, reduce litigation, improve administrative efficiency, and lessen the compliance burden on citizens and businesses by focusing enforcement on serious offenses.