Ease of Doing Business, Jan Vishwas reforms, GST, municipal governance and legislators’ pension among key legislations approved
JAMMU, OCTOBER 6 :
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has given his assent to six important Bills passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly during its recently concluded Autumn Session, clearing the way for their implementation across the Union Territory.
The Bills, passed during the Assembly session held from September 21 to 30, cover a range of areas including investment facilitation, regulatory reforms, taxation, municipal administration, cooperative societies and pensionary benefits for former legislators.
The six Bills that have received the Lieutenant Governor’s assent are the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, the J&K Municipal (Amendment) Bill, the J&K Ease of Doing Business Bill, the J&K Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, the J&K State Legislature Members’ Pension (Amendment) Bill and the J&K Jan Vishwas Third (Amendment of Provisions) Bill.
The concerned departments are now expected to take follow-up measures, including issuance of rules, guidelines and administrative instructions required for implementing the provisions of the newly approved legislations.
THREE-YEAR REGULATORY PROTECTION FOR ENTERPRISES
A key component of the J&K Ease of Doing Business legislation is the introduction of a three-year protection period for enterprises from inspections or coercive action concerning approvals, permissions, registrations, licences and other regulatory requirements.
However, such protection would not apply where permission for inspection or action is obtained from the concerned Deputy Commissioner.
The legislation also provides for an in-principle approval certificate within three working days for enterprises being established in approved industrial parks through the District Empowered Committees.
The reforms are aimed at reducing procedural hurdles and shifting the regulatory system towards a more predictable, transparent and rule-based framework.
The measures are expected to facilitate investment, encourage entrepreneurship and contribute towards employment generation and economic activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
JAN VISHWAS REFORMS TO DECRIMINALISE MINOR OFFENCES
The J&K Jan Vishwas Third (Amendment of Provisions) Bill introduces further reforms aimed at rationalising penalties and reducing the criminalisation of minor regulatory violations.
Under the legislation, imprisonment prescribed for certain minor contraventions will be replaced with monetary penalties wherever considered appropriate.
The reform covers amendments to 23 Acts, besides providing for the repeal of two obsolete Acts that are no longer considered relevant.
The objective is to reduce the compliance burden on individuals and businesses and promote a more trust-based and business-friendly regulatory environment.
GST FRAMEWORK TO BE BROUGHT IN LINE WITH CENTRAL LAW
The Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to align the Union Territory’s GST framework with amendments incorporated into the Central GST legislation.
The amendments cover various provisions of the J&K GST Act and are intended to simplify compliance, strengthen the tax framework, improve cash-flow mechanisms and help reduce avoidable litigation.
The changes are expected to provide greater clarity to taxpayers and businesses operating in the Union Territory.
MUNICIPAL LAW TO UNDERGO KEY CHANGES
The J&K Municipal (Amendment) Bill deals with legal and administrative issues relating to municipal bodies, including their composition and responsibilities associated with electoral processes.
The amendments seek to clarify the respective roles of the State Election Commission and field administration in matters concerning municipal elections.
The changes are aimed at streamlining the functioning of urban local bodies and creating greater clarity in the conduct and administration of municipal elections.
PENSION OF FORMER LEGISLATORS RAISED
The amendment relating to members of the J&K Legislature provides for an increase in the monthly pension payable to former legislators.
Under the amended provisions, the pension has been enhanced from ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per month.
The legislation also broadens the definition of family for the purpose of family pension to include widowed and divorced daughters of former legislators.
COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES LAW ALSO AMENDED
The Lieutenant Governor has also assented to the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, paving the way for changes in the legal framework governing cooperative societies in the Union Territory.
The amendment forms part of the broader legislative package approved by the Assembly during its Autumn Session.
NEXT STEP: IMPLEMENTATION BY DEPARTMENTS
With the Lieutenant Governor’s assent accorded to all six Bills, the concerned administrative departments will now undertake the next stage of implementation.
Rules, guidelines, notifications and other necessary instructions are expected to be issued wherever required to operationalise the amended legal provisions.
The approvals mark a significant follow-up to the legislative business conducted during the Autumn Session and are expected to have an impact on business regulation, taxation, municipal administration, cooperative institutions and pensionary benefits across Jammu and Kashmir.(KNC)