Maharashtra Government's Clarification Shops Open All Night, Liquor Timed

Watch Maharashtra Government's Clarification Shops Open All Night, Liquor Timed - Lokmat on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00Maharashtra has just made a big move. Shops and establishments across the state can now operate

00:0524-7 but accept leaker outlets. This decision could change the way businesses and customers

00:12experience daily life in cities like Mumbai, Pune and Naakku.

00:16So hi, this is Khatija and you're watching Lokma Times.

00:19In today's video, we're breaking down the Maharashtra government's important clarification.

00:24All shops and establishments barring those serving or selling leaker can remain open

00:29round the clock. We'll talk about why this directive was issued, what the law actually says,

00:35how it affects traders and what it could mean for you as customers. But before we dive in,

00:41make sure you subscribe to our channel and press the bell icon so that you never miss an update.

00:45Now here's the background. Traders, people's representatives and business associations

00:50had been complaining to the state government. Their issue was simple. Local authorities and

00:55even the police were forcing shops to close after certain hours, even though the law allowed them

01:00to operate longer. This confusion pushed the government to issue a clarification.

01:05The Industries Department has now made it crystal clear. All shops and establishments except leaker

01:11serving ones can remain open 24 hours a day, that means 7 days a week. This includes restaurants,

01:18retail outlets, service shops, malls and cafes.

01:21Now let's understand the law behind this. Well, under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishment

01:27Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service Act 2017, Section 161b, allows establishment to

01:34remain open every day of the week, provided each employee gets one continuous rest period of 24 hours

01:41every week. So while shops can run without closing, employees' right remain protected.

01:46No one can be made to work endlessly. Now the act even defines what a day means.

01:52Well, it's 24 hours beginning at midnight. So technically, a shop can stay open from midnight to

01:59midnight as long as it follows the rule about weekly offs. But here's the exception, leaker-related

02:04businesses. The circular clearly states that leaker serving or selling establishment like permit rooms,

02:10beer bars, dance bars, hookah parlors, discotheques and wine shops will still have to follow the mixed

02:16timings under a December 19, 2017 notification. You may also recall that earlier theatres and cinema

02:23halls were under similar restrictions, but they were exempted in January 2020. That's why late night

02:29shows today are possible. So with this clarification, the government has also directed district administration

02:36and the police to strictly follow the law and stop creating obstacles for establishment that are

02:41legally entitled to operate 24-7. Now what does this mean for us? Well, in cities like Mumbai,

02:47famously called the city that never sleeps. This is going to be a huge boost. More late night

02:53shoppings, cafes open round the clock, more options for dining and services whenever you need them.

02:59For traders and businesses, this means more revenue and opportunities. For customers, it means more

03:05convenience and flexibility. Now economically, this could enhance commercial activity and even attract

03:10more tourists since the state will be seen as more business and consumer friendly. Now of course,

03:15the big question is, will this actually be implemented smoothly? Will all authorities respect

03:21the order and will businesses manage to balance late night operations with employee welfare?

03:26See, those are the challenges we'll need to watch. Now what's your take? Do you think

03:30Maharashtra's 24-7 shop policy will make life easier or will it bring new issues like security and noise

03:37problems? Let us know in the comments below. Don't forget to like, share and subscribe for more such update.