Ministry Of Power Implements Jan Vishwas Act Reforms In Power Sector From June 1, 2026

The Government of India has initiated a major legal reform process in the power sector following the official notification of the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, on April 8, 2026. The Act was published in the Gazette of India with the objective of improving ease of doing business and promoting trust-based governance across various sectors. One of the key features of the legislation is the decriminalization of minor offenses and the rationalization of penalties under several existing laws.

Following the enactment of the law, the Ministry of Power has started implementing these reforms within the electricity sector through a series of official notifications and administrative directions. In a communication dated May 20, 2026, the ministry instructed all major power sector authorities and stakeholders across the country to ensure compliance with the amended legal framework before it comes into force.

The directive was sent from Shram Shakti Bhawan in New Delhi to Principal Secretaries and Secretaries handling power and energy departments in all States and Union Territories. It was also addressed to State Electricity Regulatory Commissions, Joint Electricity Regulatory Commissions, and the heads of state-owned power generation and distribution companies. According to the ministry, the competent authority has approved immediate steps to spread awareness and facilitate the smooth implementation of the legal changes.

Under Secretary Vikash Khichi informed stakeholders that the government wants all concerned departments and utilities to actively prepare for the transition to the new system. The ministry emphasized the need for public outreach and information campaigns so that industries, electricity utilities, and consumers are aware of the upcoming legal modifications.

The implementation framework was formally introduced through two extraordinary gazette notifications issued on May 18, 2026, by Additional Secretary Piyush Singh. Acting under powers granted under sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Jan Vishwas Act, the Central Government has fixed June 1, 2026, as the official date from which the amendments will become operational.

One of the notifications, identified as S.O. 2552(E), relates to selected provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003. It confirms that the amended provisions linked to serial number 58 of the Jan Vishwas Act schedule will come into effect from June 1. Another notification, S.O. 2551(E), applies similar amendments to the Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948. These reforms are expected to modernize legal enforcement mechanisms in the power sector and reduce the burden of criminal penalties for minor violations.