UP govt set to bring bill abolishing criminal provisions on industry, trade

Chairing a meeting of senior officials on Thursday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said strengthening the ease of doing business is the need of the hour while ensuring the safety and welfare of workers. “Embracing the spirit of the Prime Minister’s ‘Shramev Jayate’ initiative, reforms must benefit both entrepreneurs and workers,” he stated.

The government said it will introduce the ‘Sugamya Vyapar (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025’, restructuring laws such as the Excise Act, Molasses Act, Tree Protection Act, Revenue Code, Sugarcane Act, Groundwater Act, Municipal Corporation Act, Plastic Waste Act, Cinema Act, and Panchayat Acts.

The provisions mandating imprisonment will be replaced with heavier financial penalties and administrative action, he added, stressing that unnecessary punishments should give way to a fair and transparent system.

The departments have been asked for feedback on the bill — while most have agreed, some have raised objections, it is learnt.

The CM directed that all inputs be addressed to balance the interests of both the industry and workers.

The labour reforms under consideration include extending factory licence validity, simplifying shop and establishment rules, and creating more opportunities for women. To ensure transparency, the CM proposed a self-certification and third-party audit system for inspections, reducing industry burden while safeguarding workers’ welfare.

As part of the reforms agenda, the government is preparing to launch ‘Nivesh Mitra 3.0’, a fully digital platform with features such as a common application form, PAN-based identification, smart dashboard, multilingual support, and an AI chatbot. The CM directed that services be delivered on time and grievances resolved promptly, calling for an early launch to further boost the ease of doing business.