Assam Govt’s decision to allow shops in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar to remain open 24×7 was taken in a cabinet meeting in Dibrugarh yesterday
GUWAHATI, March 21: The Assam Govt’s decision to allow shops in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar to remain open 24×7, and to also do away with the practice of closure of markets for a day every week, has been hailed by people.
Welcoming the Assam government’s decision to keep shops open twenty-fours hours a day “under permissible norms”, people said the decision — which was taken during a meeting of the State cabinet in Dibrugarh yesterday (March 20) — would help traders and businessmen while also benefitting the common people.
Shops in other towns in Assam can keep their shops and businesses open till midnight while in rural areas, they can continue businesses till 11 pm.
Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, said the decision to extend operating hours of shops and businesses will not apply to wine shops and bars and, although it was announced that they could keep their shops open in Guwahati till 2 am, shops selling liquor will have to down their shutters at 10 pm.
“Now shops can operate 24*7 in Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Silchar and with extended timings in other areas without compromising on worker rights and conveniences!
P.S- This decision is not applicable for liquor shops and bars,” Chief Minister Dr Sarma stated in a post on social media.
Chief Minister Dr Sarma, however, said that shop owners cannot overburden workers and employees with extended working hours and that no employee could be made to work for more than 9 hours in a single shift and for more than 48 hours a week.
“We welcome this announcement of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to extend operational hours of shops in Guwahati and in Dibrugarh and Silchar. I can’t say that I will keep my shop open till dawn but I might explore the option of keeping it open at least till midnight or a little more,” Kamal Barman, who owns a small shop in Guwahati, said.
“The decision of the cabinet will benefit both shopkeepers and consumers. We can go out for shopping even after 10 pm if we want. But authorities will need to strictly enforce law and order and see to it that no untoward incidents take place” Anjali Deka, a resident of Rajgarh, said.
