Bengaluru, Dec. 17 -- The state legislative assembly on Tuesday amended the state's rent law to decriminalise minor violations, clearing the Karnataka Rent Amendment Bill as part of a rapid passage of 12 Bills in little over an hour.

The statement of objects and reasons accompanying the Rent Bill said the amendment was introduced to advance the principle of Minimum Government Maximum Governance, in line with the Jan Vishwas Amendment of Provisions Act 2023. Under the revised law, a landlord or tenant who fails to present a copy of a lease agreement for registration, or fails to file the required particulars, may on conviction be punished with a fine of up to Rs.2000, simple imprisonment for a month, or both. The provision also applies to...