J&K Tables Bills To Decriminalise Minor Offences And Set Rules For Private Universities

Overview

• The government placed two measures before the Legislative Assembly, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah introducing the decriminalisation bill and Education Minister Sakeena Itoo presenting the private universities bill.
• The Jan Vishwas Second Amendment would change 18 J&K laws and repeal outdated acts to replace short jail terms with fines and to update penalties.
• The reform drive mirrors the national Jan Vishwas Act, 2023 and the Centre’s Business Reform Action Plan that press states to ease rules for citizens and businesses.
• The Private Universities Bill adopts a unitary model that bars affiliation of outside colleges but allows constituent colleges and extra campuses under University Grants Commission rules.
• The draft university law promises student safeguards including a ban on capitation fees, a seat share for local students, scholarships, inspections, and penalties, while a prior Jan Vishwas amendment has already received the Lieutenant Governor’s assent.