The Bihar Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026

(See Section 2) SI. No.

Year No. Short title Amendments

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 1. 1860 21 Societies Registration Act, 1860 In Section 11, for the words: “shall be subject to the same prosecution, and, if convicted, shall be liable to be punished in like manner, as any person not a member would be subject and liable to in respect of the like offence”, the following shall be substituted, namely:— "Shall, in case of any act. omission, or technical or procedural irregularity relating to the management or affairs of society, which is not of a criminal or fraudulent nature, be liable only to appropriate civil or administrative action as may be prescribed under the applicable laws, rules or by-laws of the society,

without prejudice to recovery under applicable civil

laws:

Provided that where any member or office -

bearer knowingly steals, misappropriates, embezzles, destroys, or causes damage or loss to the property or assets of the society, than the person shall be liable to be punished in like manner, as any person not a member of the society would be subject and liable to be punished in respect of the like offence as per law.

2. 2007 11 Bihar

Municipal Act, 2007

1. In Sections 314, Sanction of Building Plan, for the words: “No persons shall construct or commence to construct, any building or structure of permanent nature or execute any work relating to construction of building undertake or any alteration addition or modification of an existing building unless, the building plan is approved by a competent authority to be designated under Rules and Bye Laws to be framed by the Government. Provided that no Architect shall sanction any building plan unless it is inconformity with building bye-law framed by the State Government/Municipality. Provided further that in case the building plan is in contravention or deviation of the building bye-law, in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, the registered architect, the builder and the approving authority shall be liable to be prosecuted and shall be liable to pay fine of Rupees fifty thousand or sentence to imprisonment for a period which may extend to one year or both.” the following shall be substituted: “(1) No persons shall construct or commence to construct, any building or structure of permanent nature or execute any work relating to construction of building undertake or any alteration addition or modification of an existing building unless, the building plan is approved by a competent authority to be designated under Rules and Bye Laws to be framed by the Government.

1. (2) In case the building plan is in contravention or deviation of the building bye-law, in addition to any other action that may be taken under this Act, the registered Architect, Engineer, Structural Engineer, Town Planner, Supervisor, and Builder shall be liable

to pay penalty of rupees two lakh.”

2. In Sections 325, Construction of building in contravention of the provisions of the Act or the rules made thereunder, for the words: “(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the rules made thereunder or in any other law for the time being in force, any person, who, being responsible, by himself or by any other person on his behalf, so constructs, or attempts, or conspires, to so construct, any new building or additional floor or floors of any building, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the Rules made thereunder, and endangers, or is likely to endanger, human life, or any property of the Municipality, whereupon the water-supply, drainage or sewerage or the road traffic is disrupted or is likely to be disrupted or is likely to cause a fire hazard, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years and also with fine which may extend to fifty thousand rupees.

1. (2) The offence under sub-section
2. (1) shall be cognizable within the meaning of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.” following shall be substituted: “(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or the rules made thereunder or in any other law for the time being in force, any person, who, being responsible, by himself or by any other person on his behalf, so constructs, or attempts, or conspires, to so construct, any new building or additional floor or floors of any building, in contravention of the provisions of this Act or the Rules made thereunder, and endangers, or is likely to endanger, human life, or any property of the Municipality, whereupon the water-supply, drainage or sewerage or the road traffic is disrupted or is likely to be disrupted or is likely to cause a fire hazard, shall be liable to pay a penalty of rupees two lakh.
3. (2) Sub-Section
4. (2) - to be omitted.” 3. In Sections 347, Power to stop use of premises used in contravention of licenses, for the words: “(1) If the Chief Municipal Officer is of the opinion that any premises is being used for a non-residential purpose without a licence under this Act or otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence granted in respect thereof, he may stop the use of any such premises for any such purpose for a specified period by such means as he may consider necessary.” following shall be substituted: “If the Chief Municipal Officer is of the opinion that any premises is being used for a non-residential purpose without a licence under this Act or otherwise than in conformity with the terms of a licence granted in respect thereof, he may stop the use of any such premises for any such purpose for a specified period by such means as he may consider necessary.” And for the words, “(2) If a person continues to use a premises in contravention of the provisions of sub- section (1), the Chief Municipal Officer may,

notwithstanding any other action that may be taken

against such person under this Act, levy on such person a continuing fine in accordance with the provisions of sub-section

1. (4) of Section 367.” following shall be omitted: “Sub-section
2. (2) of Section 347.” 4. In Sections 426 , Penalty for breach of regulation,
3. (1) Any Regulation made under this Act may provide that a contravention thereof shall be punishable- for the words:
   • (a) with fine which may extend to two thousand and five hundred rupees, or
   • (b) with fine which may extend to two thousand and five hundred rupees and, in the case of a continuing contravention, with an additional fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees for every day during which such contravention continues after conviction for the first of such contravention, or
   • (c) with fine which may extend to two hundred and fifty rupees for every day during which the contravention continues, after the receipt by the person contravening the regulation of a notice requiring such person to discontinue such contravention from the Chief Municipal Officer or any other officer of the Municipality, duly authorized in that behalf.” following shall be substituted: “Section 426. Penalty for Repeat and Continuing Contraventions-
4. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where any person on whom a penalty has been imposed for any contravention under Sections 314, 325, 432, 433, and 434, subsequently commits the same contravention, such person shall be liable to an enhanced penalty.
5. (2) The enhanced penalty referred to in sub section
6. (1) shall be the penalty amount imposable for the specific contravention under Section 314,

325, 432, 433, 434 along with an additional

sum of 50,000 Rupees for every subsequent contravention. Provided that where a person simultaneously or subsequently commits contraventions under more than one section referred to in sub-section (1), the enhanced penalty shall be applicable and calculated independently for each such section. 5. In Section 429 b(i, ii) Punishment for certain offences, for the words: “shall be punishable –

1. (i) with fine which may extend to rupees five thousand, or with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or both.
2. (ii) in the case of a continuing contravention or failure, with an additional fine which may extend to rupees one hundred for every day during which such contravention or failure continues after conviction for the first such contravention or failure subject to a maximum of rupees five thousand.” following shall be omitted: “Section 429” – Entire section to be omitted. 6. In Sections 432, “Fine for putting building to any use other than that for which a licence has been granted. – When any premises is used or is permitted to be used by any person for any purpose other than that for which a licence has been granted under sub-section

1. (1) of section 398 or as a stable or cattle-shed or cow-house, then such person shall, without prejudice to any other penalty to which he may be subject, be liable to a fine which may extend, in the case of a masonry building, to two hundred and fifty rupees and, in the case of a hut, to twenty five rupees, and, in the case of continuance of such use, to a further fine which may extend, in the case of a masonry building, to fifty rupees and, in the case of a hut, to five rupees for each day during which such use continues after the first day.” following shall be substituted: Penalty for putting building to any use other than that for which a licence has been granted. – When any premises is used or is permitted to be used by any

person for any purpose other than that for which a

licence has been granted under sub-section

1. (1) of section 398 or as a stable or cattle-shed or cow house, then such person shall, without prejudice to any other penalty to which he may be subject, be liable to pay a penalty of rupees one lakh and, in the case of a hut, to rupees fifty thousand. 7. In Sections 433, Penalty for obstructing contractor, for the words: " Whoever obstructs or molests any person with whom the Municipality has entered into a contract for execution of any work under this Act shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two months or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.” following shall be substituted: “Whoever obstructs or molests any person with whom the Municipality has entered into a contract for execution of any work under this Act shall be liable to pay a penalty of rupees one lakh” 8. In Sections 434, Penalty for causing damage to property belonging to Municipality, for the words: " No person shall cause any damage to any property belonging to the Municipality. Any person causing any damage to any property belonging to the Municipality shall, on conviction, be punished with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees.” following shall be substituted: “Any person causing any damage to any property belonging to the Municipality shall be liable to pay penalty of rupees one lakh.” 9. In Sections 436, Punishment of imprisonment in default of payment of fine, for the words: " In every case where, under this Act, an offence is punishable with fine, or with imprisonment or fine, or with both, and a person is sentenced by a Court having jurisdiction to pay a fine, it shall be competent for such Court to direct that in default of payment of fine, he shall suffer imprisonment for such term or, as the case may be, such further term, not exceeding six months, as the Court may fix.” following shall be substituted: “(1) No penalty shall be imposed under Sections 314, 325, 432, 433, and 434, without affording an opportunity to the persons concerned.
2. (2) Any penalty imposed by an order under sub section
3. (1) shall be paid within a period of thirty days from the date of passing of the said order by the person concerned.
4. (3) The penalty imposed under Sections 314, 325, 432, 433, and 434 shall be recovered as if it were a user charge under the provisions of section 155 of this Act.
5. (4) Any person aggrieved by a penalty imposed by the Chief Municipal Officer under this section may, within 30 days from the date on which the order is passed, prefer an appeal to the Municipal Building Tribunal constituted under Section 329.” 10. In Sections 437, General penalty, for the words: " Whoever, in any case in which a penalty is not expressly provided by this Act, fails to comply with any notice or order or requisition issued under any provisions thereof, or otherwise contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, and, in the case of a continuing failure or contravention, with an additional fine which may extend to one hundred rupees for every day after the first during which he has persisted in such failure or contravention.” following shall be substituted: “Periodic Revision of Penalties: —
6. (1) The penalties provided under various provisions of this Act, its subsidiary rules and bye-laws made thereunder, shall be increased by ten per cent of the amount of penalty, as the case may be, prescribed therefor, after the expiry of every three years.
7. (2) Details of updated penalties mentioned under various provisions of this Act, its subsidiary rules and bye-laws made thereunder shall be maintained by the Chief Municipal Officer, within such time period as provided, upon receiving notice from municipality regarding contravention under this Act.” 11. In Sections 440, Compounding of offences, for the words: “(1) The Chief Municipal Officer or, if so authorized by the Municipality in this behalf by a general or special order, the Municipal Health Officer, the Municipal Engineer or any other officer of the Municipality may, either before or after the institution of the proceeding and on payment of such fee as may be specified by regulations, compound any offence as may be classified as compoundable by the State Government by rules.”
8. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section
9. (1) , no offence punishable by or under this Act or by any Rule or Regulation made thereunder shall be compoundable if such offence is committed due to the failure to comply with any notice, order or requisition, as the case may be, issued by or on behalf of any of the municipal authorities referred to in Section 20, unless and until such notice, order or requisition, as the case may be, has been complied with in so far as such compliance is possible.
10. (3) Where an offence has been compounded, the offender, if in custody, shall be discharged and no further proceeding shall be taken against him in respect of the offence so compounded. following shall be omitted: Section 440 – Entire section to be omitted.

3. 2012 20 Bihar Urban

Planning and Development Act, 2012 1. In Section 41, Penalty for Unauthorized Development or for Use in Non-Conformity with the Development Plan. – , for the words: “shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine which may extend to one lac rupees or with both and in the case of a continuing offence with a further fine which may extend to one thousand rupees for every day during which the offence continues after conviction for the first commission of the office.

1. (2) Any person who continues to use or allows the use of any land or building in contravention of the provisions of a Development Plan without having been allowed under section 33, section-34 and section- 35 or where the continuance of such use after the period for which the use has been allowed or without complying with the terms and conditions under which the continuance of such use is allowed, shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may be extend to six months, or with a fine which may be extend to fifty thousand rupees or with both and in the case of continuing offence with a further fine which may be extend to five hundred rupees for every day during which such offence continues after conviction for the first commission of the offence. following shall be substituted: “shall be liable to pay a penalty of rupees twenty five lakh.
2. (2) Any person who continues to use or allows the use of any land or building in contravention of the provisions of a Development Plan without having been allowed under section-33, section-34 and section-35 or where the continuance of such use after the period for which the use has been allowed or without complying with the terms and conditions under which the continuance of such use is allowed, shall be liable to pay a penalty of rupees ten lakh. 2. And following Section shall be inserted: Section 41A - Imposition of Penalties. —
3. (1) If the Chief Executive Officer
   • (CEO) of Planning Authority is of the opinion that any person has contravened any provision of this Act, or any rule, regulation, or bye-law made thereunder, he shall be provided a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the person alleged to have committed the contravention.
4. (2) Any penalty imposed by the Chief Executive Officer shall be paid within a period of thirty days from the date of passing of the said order by the person concerned.
5. (3) Any person aggrieved by a penalty imposed by the CEO under this section may, within 30 days, prefer an appeal to the Tribunal constituted under Section 79.
6. (4) Any penalty or sum imposed under this Act, which is not paid within the prescribed period shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue. 3. Section 42. Power to Require Removal of Unauthorized Development.- , for the words:
7. (6) If within the period specified in the notice or within such period after the disposal or withdrawal of the application for permission or the appeal under Sub-Section
8. (3) the notice or so much of it as continues to have effect, or the notice with variation

made in appeal, is not complied with, the Planning

Authority may-

1. (a) prosecute the owner for not complying with the notice and in case where the notice required the discontinuance of any use of land, any other person also who uses the land or causes or permits the land to be used in contravention of the notice; and (b)
   • (i) in the case of a notice requiring the demolition or alteration of any building or works on any building to restore it to a condition before the development took place and secure the compliance with the conditions of the permission or with the permission as modified, take such steps as the Planning Authority may consider necessary including demolition or alteration of any building or works or carrying out of any building or other operations;
   • (ii) the Planning Authority may recover the cost of any expenses incurred by it on performing its duties under sub clause
   • (i) above, from the owner as arrears of land revenue.

1. (7) Any person prosecuted under clause
   • (a) of Sub Section
2. (6) shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or with a fine which may extend to fifty

thousand rupees, or with both and in the case of a

continuing offence, with a further fine which may

extend to five hundred rupees for every day during

which such offence continues after conviction for the first commission of the offence. following shall be substituted:

1. (6) If within the period specified in the notice or within such period after the disposal or withdrawal of the application for permission or the appeal under Sub-Section
2. (3) the notice or so much of it as continues to have effect, or the notice with variation

made in appeal, is not complied with, the Planning

Authority may-

1. (a) further impose a penalty on the owner for not complying with the notice and in case where the notice required the discontinuance of any use of land, any other person also who uses the land or causes or

permits the land to be used in contravention of the

notice; and (b)

1. (i) in the case of a notice requiring the demolition or alteration of any building or works on any building to restore it to a condition before the development took place and secure the compliance with the conditions of the permission or with the permission as modified, take such steps as the Planning Authority may consider necessary including demolition or alteration of any building or works or carrying out of any building or other operations;
2. (ii) the Planning Authority may recover the cost of any expenses incurred by it on performing its duties under sub-clause
3. (i) above, from the owner as arrears of land revenue.

1. (7) Any person on whom a penalty is imposed under clause
   • (a) of Sub-Section
2. (6) shall be liable to pay a penalty of rupees two lakh. 4. Section 43. Power to Stop Unauthorized Development and Requisition of Police.- , for the words:
3. (3) Any person, who continues to carry out the development of land and building, whether for himself or on behalf of the owner or any other person, after such notice has been served, shall be punishable with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to

six months, or with fine which may extend to fifty

thousand rupees or with both and when the non-

compliance is a continuing one, with a further fine

which may extend to five hundred rupees for every day after the date of the service of the notice during which non-compliance has continued or continues. following shall be substituted:

1. (3) Any person, who continues to carry out the development of land and building, whether for himself or on behalf of the owner or any other person, after such notice has been served, shall be liable to pay a penalty of rupees two lakh and when the contravention is a continuing one, with a further penalty of five hundred rupees for every day after the date of the service of the notice during which non-compliance has continued or continues.

5. Section 90. Power of Entry.- for the words:

1. (3) Any person who obstructs the entry of a person empowered or authorized under this section to enter into or upon any land or building after such entry shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees, or with both. following shall be omitted: Subsection
2. (3) - to be omitted 6. Section 98. Penalty for obstructing contractor or removing mark.- , for the words: If any person –
3. (1) obstructs any person engaged or employed by the Board or any Planning Authority or any person with whom the Board or the Planning Authority has entered into a contract, in the performance or execution by such person of his duty or of anything which he is empowered or required to do under this Act, or
4. (2) removes any mark set up for the purpose of indicating any level or direction necessary to the execution of works authorized under this Act. such persons shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two months. following shall be substituted: If any person –
5. (1) obstructs any person engaged or employed by the Board or any Planning Authority or any person with whom the Board or the Planning Authority has entered into a contract, in the performance or execution by such person of his duty or of anything which he is empowered or required to do under this Act, or

removes any mark set up for the purpose of

indicating any level or direction necessary to

the execution of works authorized under this

Act, shall be liable to pay a penalty of rupees one lakh.

7. Section 104, for the words: Fine when realized to be

paid to Planning Authority.- All fines realized in connection with prosecution under this Act shall be paid to the Planning Authority concerned. following shall be substituted: Penalty when realized to be paid to Planning Authority.- All penalties realized in connection with contravention under this Act shall be paid to the Planning Authority concerned. 8. And following Section shall be inserted:

104A-Periodic Revision of Penalties:—The

penalties provided under various provisions of this Act, its subsidiary rules and bye-laws made thereunder, shall be increased by ten per cent of the amount of penalty, as the case may be, prescribed therefor, after the expiry of every three years.

4. 1984 12 The Bihar

Forest Produce (Regulation of Trade) Act, 1983 In Section 20 (1), for the words “shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both”, the following shall be substituted, namely: “Shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to two thousand rupees.” " In Section 29, in sub-section (5), for the words “shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term

which may extend to six months or with fine which

may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.” the following shall be substituted, namely: “shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to two thousand rupees.”

5. 2025 4 Bihar Wood-

Based Industries (Establishme nt and Regulation) Act, 2025 Section 20 will be substituted as follows: Section 20 (1) operation of any wood based industry without obtaining license under this act shall be a cognizable offence. Section 20 (2) if any person contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets the contravention of any of the provision of this Act he/she shall liable to a penalty which may extend to one lakh rupees and in the case of a continuing contravention, to a further penalty which may extend to one thousand rupees for every day during which the contravention continues. Provided that if a person not having a valid license for a wood based industry contravenes or attempts to contravene or abets the contravention of any of the provisions of the Act or the Rules made thereunder he/she shall be punishable with imprisonment for three months which may extend to one year, and / or with a fine of Rs. 10000/- (Ten thousand) which may extend to Rs. 100000/ (One lakh) or with both.

6. 2010 11 The Bihar

Agriculture Land (Conversion for Non- Agriculture Purposes) Act, 2010 Amendment of Section-2 of the Bihar Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non-Agricultural Purposes) Act, 2010 (Bihar Act 11, 2010).-Clause

1. (g) of Section-2 of the Bihar Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non-Agricultural Purposes) Act, 2010 (Bihar Act 11, 2010) is hereby deleted and is substituted as under:- "(g) "Competent Authority" means Sub- Divisional Officer or an officer not below the rank of the Deputy Collector Land Reforms, as notified by the Government, within whose jurisdiction the concerned agricultural land or any part thereof is situated, and shall also include any electronic system or portal developed and notified by the Government, which shall function on behalf of the Revenue and Land Reforms Department and within its jurisdiction, for the purposes of automatic self-assessment, fee collection and system-generated issuance of permissions or certificates for conversion."

3. Amendment in Section-3 of the Bihar

Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non- Agricultural Purposes) Act, 2010 (Bihar Act 11, 2010).- Sections-3

1. (6) and 3
2. (7) of the Bihar Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non-Agricultural Purposes) Act, 2010 (Bihar Act 11, 2010) are deleted and sections-3(3), 3
3. (4) and 3
4. (5) are substituted respectively as under:- "3
5. (3) Automated Land Conversion System.- The State Government shall, by notification, implement an automated land conversion system under which the landowner may convert agricultural

land for non-agricultural purposes in Do-It-Yourself

1. (DIY) mode through an electronic system or portal." "3

1. (4) The procedure for conversion under this system shall be as follows:-
   • (a) Self-selection of land parcel from land records;
   • (b) Self-declaration by the applicant;
   • (c) Payment of the prescribed conversion fee, and
   • (d) Automatic Certificate Issuance by the System." "3
2. (5) Any permission or certificate issued under this system shall be deemed to have been granted forthwith by the competent authority under this Act. Provided that such permission or certificate shall be subject to verification by the competent authority within 60 (sixty) days and shall be liable to be cancelled without any compensation if it is found that the permission or certificate has been obtained by presenting wrongful facts, misrepresentation, suppression of facts, eligibility conditions or in violation of Section-5(2), 5
3. (3) and any other delineated conditions of regulatory authorities such as those relating to environment, airports, national security, etc. Also, penalty may be imposed by the competent authority for this act."

3. Amendment in Section-6 of the Bihar

Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non- Agricultural Purposes) Act, 2010 (Bihar Act 11, 2010).- After sub-section 5(ii) of section 6 of the Bihar Agricultural Land (Conversion for Non- Agricultural Purposes) Act, 2010 (Bihar Act 11, 2010), a new sub-section 5(iii) shall be added as under:- "5(iii) Any conversion under the Automated Land Conversion System achieved by presenting wrongful facts, misrepresentation, suppression of facts, eligibility conditions or in violation of Section-5(2), 5

1. (3) and any other delineated conditions of regulatory authorities such as those relating to environment, airports, national security, etc. shall be deemed to be an unauthorised conversion for the purposes of this section."

7. 1962 12 The Bihar

Land Reforms (Fixation of Ceiling Area and Acquisition of Surplus Land) Act, The following sub-section-(dd) and

1. (o) shall be added under section-2 of the Act.-
2. (dd) "Plantation Land" means any land used primarily on perennial-perpetual basis for production of plants like tea, coffee, rubber, cocoa, bamboo, timber, orchards, fruit- bearing other trees, medicinal-herbal plants, aromatic plants or any others such plants as may be classified and notified by the State Government.
3. (o) "Agro-industrial Project Land" means any land used for integrated agricultural or allied activities involving commercial-scale production, processing or value addition like makhana production, fisheries and such other activities as may be classified and notified by the the State Government. 2. The following section-4C and 4D shall be added after section-4B of the Act.- 4C.-"Notwithstanding anything contained in any provision of this Act Land classified and notified by the State Government as "plantation land" shall be exempted from ceiling area as contained under section-4 of the Act up-to fifty acres equivalent to 20.234 hectares." 4D.-" Notwithstanding anything contained in any provision of this Act Land covered under agro- industrial project as classified and notified by the State Government shall be exempted from ceiling area as contained under section-4 of the Act up-to hundred acres equivalent to 40.469 hectares."

8. 2007 4 The Bihar

Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2006

1. (1) In Section 20,—
   • (a) in sub-section (1), for the words “with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees”, the words “with penalty which may extend to ten thousand rupees” shall be substituted;
   • (b) in sub-section (2), for the words “with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or both”, the words “with penalty which may extend to twenty thousand rupees” shall be substituted;
2. (2) In Section 22,—
   • (a) in sub-section (1), for the words “shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly”, the words “shall be liable to a penalty only, as may be prescribed” shall be substituted;
   • (b) in sub-section (2), for the words “shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished

accordingly”, the words “shall also be

deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to a penalty only, as may be prescribed” shall be substituted.