Gujarat to allow shops to remain open through the night

Aimed at generating employment in the retail segment, the Gujarat government on Wednesday announced amendments to the Shops and Establishments Act, allowing 24-hour retailing and shops and restaurants remaining open at night, subject to police clearances.
Announcing this after a Cabinet meeting in Gandhinagar, Deputy Chief Minister, Nitin Patel said the government would move the amendment Bill in the upcoming Assembly session.
“The existing Act does not permit shops to function during night hours. We have decided to amend the 1948 Act to meet the changing preference of the people to move around and shop at night,” Patel said.
The Budget session of the Assembly begins on February 18. The amendment will also spare small shop owners the hassles of registration and renewals. Patel said business owners having employee strength of up to 10 will not require registration. “After the amendments, shop owners will be spared from annual renewal of registrations also,” he said.
The State government estimate puts such shop and establishments at 7 lakh in the State, employing about 10 lakh people directly.

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