The Delhi government has moved to significantly increase penalties for various civic offenses by introducing the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha. Tabled by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada on March 27, 2026, the bill seeks to replace outdated token fines with sharper monetary penalties. The primary goal is to improve civic sense in the capital while removing outdated provisions that previously allowed for imprisonment for minor infractions.
New Penalty Rates for Common Civic Offenses
The proposed changes affect a wide range of daily activities and property maintenance rules. The bill aims to make these fines relevant to the current economic situation of the city. The Delhi Cabinet had previously approved this bill on December 31, 2025, to ensure stricter enforcement across the MCD and NDMC areas.
| Offence Type | Current Fine | Proposed Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Public urination or nuisance | ₹50 | ₹500 |
| Letting a dog roam without a leash | ₹50 | ₹1,000 |
| Tethering cattle on public roads | ₹100 | ₹1,000 |
| Defacing a house number | ₹50 | ₹1,000 |
| Unauthorized food stall operation | ₹100 | ₹1,000 |
| Dumping rubbish on the street | ₹50 | ₹200 |
| Occupying building without completion certificate | ₹200 | ₹1,000 |
| Keeping a market open without a license | – | ₹2,000 |
Key Changes to Rules and Enforcement
The Jan Vishwas Bill 2026 amends the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC) Act, 1957, and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Act, 1994. One of the major shifts is the decriminalization of minor offenses. For instance, the provision for up to three months of imprisonment for breaching municipal bye-laws has been removed and replaced with a penalty of up to ₹500. This shift aims to promote ease of living and reduce the number of pending court cases related to minor civic issues.
To ensure that these penalties remain effective over time, the bill includes a clause for an automatic 10% increase in all fines every three years after implementation. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta mentioned that the bill is intended to simplify compliance procedures and enhance administrative efficiency. Additionally, some very minor acts like washing clothes at unauthorized places or failure to notify vacant properties are proposed to be fully decriminalized with fines removed entirely to focus on more significant urban violations.
