Maharashtra shops can now run round the clock; bars and liquor shops excluded

The state government on Tuesday issued notification about amended shop and establishment act which would free almost 34 lakh out of 35 lakh shops and establishments in the state from Licence Raj.  

There are 35 lakh shops and establishments in the state out of which 22 lakh do not have any employee while there are 12 lakh shops with employees less than ten employees. The amendments makes it mandatory to avail this licence for only those shops and establishments which have more than 10 employees. 

Minister for Labor Sambhaji Nilangekar-Patil told that the notification also enables the shops and establishments to run their businesses round the clock in three shifts and Government expects that it would provide additional employment to 35 lakh persons in addition to present 35 lakh persons.

The minister told that the act is coming in to force from today. Shops hotels, restaurants, theatres, architects, banking and financial consultants, offices of the construction companies, grocers and various other establishments in almost all the sectors of society are  covered under this notification. 

Minister informed that the establishment having restaurants and bar together as well as liquor shops, beer bars are excluded from this notification. These establishments would not be able to avail these benefits.