Gandhinagar: Gujarat assembly today passed Gumasta Dhara: Gujarat Dukan – Sanstha Adhiniyam – 2019 bill which will make it possible for shop keepers to open their shops for round the clock.

Highlights of the bill:

– Shops located in municipal corporation areas, on national highway, at railway station, State transport bus stations, hospitals, petrol pumps to be allowed to remain open round the clock.

– Shops in municipality areas and on State highways to be allowed to remain open during 6 am to 11 pm.

– In interior rural areas, shops will be allowed to open from 6 am to 11 pm.

– Shops to be allowed to function on all 365 days of year.

– Flat rules for functional hours, opening/closing time, rest hours, work-hours of shops, commercial units, hotel, restaurant, eateries, theater, entertainment spots. Single rule governing all.

– Provision for one leave per week to employees.

– If one weekly off is not given to staffer, double payment for work on that day will need to be paid.

– Provision of shift in amended bill, so that if some trader needs to work on urgent order, he can keep the shop open to complete the work.

– Overtime limit increased from 36 hours per 3 months to 125 hours per 3 months.

– Overtime payment increased from 1.5 time to double.

– Women employees can work from 6 am to 9 pm instead of 6 am to 7 pm.

– If woman employee is required to work beyond prescribed time limit of 6 am to 9 pm, her consent will be required. In addition to this vehicle facility to drop her to residence and proper security provision to her shall be required.

– If there are 30 or more female staffers, the owner will need to provide Ghodiyaghar facility. Such facility can be created jointly by shop owners in 1 km circular distance.

– If there are more than 100 employees, a facility of canteen shall be required. Such facility is allowed to be created jointly with permission of inspector.

– The government officials will be able to limit the hours of functioning through a notification in case of traffic problem, health hazard, public safety and law and order related situations.

– Provision for one time registration. No need for renewal.

DeshGujarat