Agartala, Nov 12: Tripura is preparing to introduce the second phase of its decriminalisation reforms, proposing amendments to several existing laws and the repeal of four obsolete legislations to reduce regulatory hurdles and improve the ease of doing business, a senior official said on Thursday.
The state government has completed a comprehensive review of 78 Acts and 73 rules to identify provisions that require changes, Health Secretary Kiran Gitte said at a regional workshop here.
The proposed amendments are expected to be placed before the state Cabinet during the second week of December. Following approval, the government will initiate the necessary ordinances and other legal measures to implement the reforms, he said.
The roadmap was discussed at a regional workshop on decriminalisation, Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP) and District Business Reform Action Plan (DBRAP), organised at Pragya Bhawan in Agartala.
Chief Secretary J K Sinha, Gitte and senior bureaucrats and policymakers from various Northeastern states attended the programme.
Highlighting the achievements of the first phase, Gitte said the state had repealed six outdated laws and amended four others.
Several provisions that previously prescribed imprisonment have been replaced with monetary penalties. Offences under municipal regulations, nursery-related legislation, industrial provisions and the Fire Services framework, which earlier attracted jail terms of up to six months, have been converted into fine-based penalties, he said.
For the second phase, the government has consulted various departments and examined the existing legal framework in collaboration with the National Law University, Tripura.
Among the major legislations identified for amendments are the Tripura Agriculture Produce Markets Act, Tripura Housing Board Act, Tripura Municipal Act, Tripura Public Premises Act, Tripura Panchayat Act, Tripura VAT Act, Tripura Fire and Emergency Services Act and Tripura Jal Board Act.
The government has also identified four obsolete laws, including three related to the education sector and one concerning agriculture, for complete repeal.
Gitte urged government officials, industry representatives and other stakeholders to identify additional criminal provisions in existing laws and regulations and submit their suggestions to the Industries Department.
The workshop provided a platform for Northeastern states to exchange experiences and discuss best practices for simplifying regulatory procedures.
Officials said the reforms are aimed at modernising the state’s legal framework, strengthening administrative transparency, reducing compliance burdens and creating a more predictable environment for businesses and citizens.
