The Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, introduced the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha on March 27, 2026. This bill brings several changes to the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957, with the goal of improving cleanliness and public discipline in the national capital. Residents will now face much higher financial penalties for common civic violations that were previously ignored due to nominal fine amounts.
List of Increased Penalties for Civic Violations
The new regulations focus on street hygiene and responsible pet ownership. The fine for walking a pet dog without a leash has seen a massive jump from 50 rupees to 1,000 rupees. Similarly, tying cattle on public roads will now attract a 1,000 rupee fine instead of the previous 100 rupees. The authorities hope these changes will make citizens more accountable for their actions in public spaces.
| Violation Type | Previous Fine | New Proposed Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Walking pet dog without leash | Rs 50 | Rs 1,000 |
| Tying cattle on the road | Rs 100 | Rs 1,000 |
| Littering or dumping waste | Rs 50 | Rs 200 |
| Dangerous firecrackers | Rs 50 | Rs 500 |
| Living in building without certificate | Rs 200 | Rs 1,000 |
| Failing to arrange waste collection | Rs 50 | Rs 500 |
| Destroying house numbers | Rs 50 | Rs 1,000 |
Decriminalization and Public Impact
The Jan Vishwas Bill aims to promote ease of living by replacing minor criminal punishments with financial penalties. This shift ensures that technical or procedural lapses do not lead to imprisonment, but instead focus on administrative enforcement. However, serious incidents like pet dog bites remain under strict legal jurisdiction. Under Section 291 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a dog owner can still face up to six months in jail if their pet causes harm due to negligence. The MCD will be responsible for implementing these new rules once the bill is fully enacted.
