GUWAHATI: Assam will allow shops and establishments in municipal areas of Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar to operate 24/7, while liquor shops in Guwahati can now remain open until 2 AM. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced this following a cabinet meeting held on Thursday, March 20 in Dibrugarh.
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“It doesn’t look good if we allow wine shops to run 24/7,” Sarma said. “In Guwahati, we have extended the timings for wine shops to 2 AM from 12 midnight, but these will remain open till midnight in other areas.” However, currently wine shops are allowed to remain open till 10 PM and not midnight.
As per the decision, establishments located in municipal areas or along state highways will also be permitted to remain open until 2 AM, while those in districts and minor roads outside municipal corporation areas and national highways can function until 11PM.
The cabinet has also introduced specific labour protections. Accordingly, no adult worker shall work beyond nine hours a day or 48 hours a week. Workers must be given a break of at least 30 minutes if they work continuously for five hours; work beyond these hours will be treated as overtime which, however, cannot exceed 125 hours in a three-month period. Besides, there will have to be three shifts.
The move aims to boost Assam’s economy and modernise its business environment.
The decision has been taken to facilitate economic growth for the state as well as create more job opportunities.
