The Gujarat government has made it the responsibility of the police to ensure that no anti-social element harasses the shop owners or consumers at night, especially when shops remain open over the night. The government, on Wednesday, made a decision that commercial establishments like shops, malls, restaurants, and departmental stores will remain open round the clock.
The Bill suggesting an amendment in the Gujarat Shops and Establishment Act, 1948, will allow the units to remain open throughout the night. Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said that the city police will have a crucial role to play in this regard.
Patel further said, "The police have to ensure a proper law and order situation when the shops or commercial units remain open during night hours. They have to see that no anti-social element harass shop owners or consumers."
"We also vest the local police authorities with powers, through the Bill, to issue order to commercial units to remain shut during nights in case of an emergency or riots. They can direct them to not operate at nights for a maximum period of 15 days," Patel added.
The government is going to introduce the bill in upcoming budget session of assembly that is going to begin from February 18. The bill also suggests several other amendments.
The commercial units will not need to register every year but registration done on the opening will be made lifetime. Moreover, the units that have less than 10 employees would not need registration but they would have to inform local civic authorities.
"We are going to repeal entire Shops and Establishments Act, 1948, and will bring the Bill in the House to frame an entirely new act. No major changes were made ever since the Act came into force," Patel added.
Mixed reactions from businesses
The decision to allow shops to remain open round the clock got mixed reactions from business community. Restaurant operators have hailed the decision, while others have said that it will not be beneficial to them.
Narendra Somani, president of Hotel and Restaurant Association – Gujarat (HRA – Gujarat) said, "This is a very good decision. This will increase our business. Now government authorities will not force us to close operations. People will now have an option to eat out late in the night." However, Bharat Adani, a textile trader said that the decision will not be beneficial to them. "In sectors like textile, shopping happen mostly during days and virtually no one buys during late nights. If we want to operate till late nights, we will need more staff, increasing our operating expenses, but there is no guarantee of increased business," said Adani, who is also president of West Zone of Amdavad Vepari Mahajan.
Rakesh Patel, director of Wide Angle multiplex in the city said that the theatre and multiplex owners do not have much to gain from the decisions. "We need customers to watch movies at night. This is not very likely. It is not feasible to operate entire screen of just a dozen odd viewers. We also have to ensure that no untoward incident takes place at wee hours. We also need time to clean theatre and for routine maintenance. While the decision will benefit eataries, it does not have much for multiplexes like us," said Patel.
Sanat Relia, senior vice president of Southern Gujarat Hotels and Restaurant Association said that the move will enable citizens enjoy night life in the state. Moreover, passengers travelling through railway or airlines will have access to food joints at wee hours as well. Since hotel and restaurant sector is labour intensive, the move can create more jobs as well, said Relia.
ADDITIONAL INPUTS
- What is compulsory for commercial units
- Double pay to employee for overtime
- Shift for women during 6:00am to 9:00pm only
- Creche facility for units having more than 30 women employees
- Canteen in units with more than 100 employees
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