Maharashtra is set to do away with close to 200 redundant laws. Some of these laws were believed to be enacted during the British regime after World War I and have never been used in independent India.The law and judiciary department, which is compiling a detailed list of such laws, has identified 190 such Acts as "redundant." There are 450 Acts in the Maharashtra state law book.

The law and judiciary department has sent a note to all departments for their consent before jettisoning these laws. A draft list is expected to be prepared by the end of June as the law department is keen to bring it before the House during the monsoon session.

"Most of these laws were made in the late 18th century or early 19th century and do not hold much importance now. The government decision to repeal them aims at preventing any misuse of these laws," said a senior government officer.

The Bombay Opium Smoking Act of 1936 is one example. This subject now falls under a Special Act constituted in 1985 as Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. So is the Epidemic Disease Act 1897. It was enacted during the plague epidemic in Bombay and is no longer relevant today.

Sources claim that the concerned departments are looking into their records before giving the final consent. "It is a serious exercise which requires due diligence. Therefore, we want to give ample time to every department before the final call is taken. However, we are aiming at putting it before the Assembly and legislative council by this monsoon session," the officer added.

The plan draws inspiration from a similar move by the Union government's soon after Narendra Modi came to power. Among the myriad laws, there are some that makes strange demands. For example, under the Indian Motor Vehicles Act, 1914, an inspector in southern Andhra Pradesh must have brushed his teeth, and will be disqualified if he has a pigeon chest, flat feet and hammer toes. Or for that matter, under a century-old law, the toll tax for boats ferrying passengers across river Ganges cannot be more than two annas - a denomination not in use anymore.

On the way out

Bombay Cotton contracts Control (war conditions) Act, 1922The Identification of Prisoners Bombay Amendments Act, 1922The Bombay Opium Smoking Act, 1936