Businesses in Gujarat cities can now stay open 24x7

GANDHINAGAR: After Maharashtra amended its shops and establishments law, the Gujarat government on Wednesday announced that it would amend its own Shops and Establishments Act to enable businesses to stay open 24x7, and would do away with need for annual renewal of licences.

It also announced that it will move other reforms, such as making it mandatory for establishments employing more than 30 women to provide crèche facilities.Deputy CM Nitin Patel said, “The cabinet approved has an amendment to the Gujarat Shops and Establishments Act and a bill for this will be tabled in the assembly session that begins on February
18. Businesses will be allowed to remain open 24x7. Some 7 lakh businesses will benefit from this move. The change will boost employment, as more workers will be needed to run businesseS.”
Vipul Mittra, additional chief secretary of labour and employment department, who was involved in preparing the amendment, said, “Under the proposed bill, no government authority can ask shops or establishments to close at night for more than 15 days, and that too only if there are concerns about law and order, traffic or other unforeseen circumstances. The government is moving reforms which will not only free businesses from old and obsolete regulations, but will boost employee welfare, by requiring creches, canteens, double wages for overtime etc,” headded.
“This decision will benefit shops and commercial establishments because there will be greater scope for business,” said Jayendra Tanna, president of the Gujarat Trader Federation.