Maharashtra Assembly passes bill to allow restaurants and shops to open 24x7

Mumbai: In a major push to the Maharashtra government’s efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the state, around four lakh registered hotels and restaurants in the state might be able to operate 24x7 soon.

The state Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed the bill which seeks amendments to the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act.

The bill states that shops and establishments in the state are divided into two categories - mainly those having the employee strength below 10 and above 10.

The changed provision of keeping establishments open 24x7 is available for both the categories. The establishments and shops having employees less than 10, will have to submit their details as self-declaration to the local authority and it will face minimum scrutiny.

On the other hand, establishments with more than ten employees, will be scrutinised for their licences and services. “But the government would ensure that they would not be harassed,” Chief Minister Fadnavis had said in the assembly during a discussion on the bill.

The bill will now be sent to the Legislative Council for discussion, where the ruling coalition of BJP and Shiv Sena do not hold majority.