Himachal Amends Labour Laws, Permits Shops And Establishments To Operate 24x7
State reforms aim to boost business flexibility.
The Himachal Pradesh government has amended its labour laws to allow shops and commercial establishments across the state to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The decision, announced during a review meeting of the Labour and Employment Department chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is aimed at improving the business environment while providing greater convenience to consumers. The move is expected to benefit sectors such as retail, hospitality, tourism and other service-based industries.
According to the state government, amendments have been made to the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1969, along with related rules to ensure more effective implementation of labour regulations. Under the revised provisions, businesses will have the flexibility to determine their operating hours based on market demand and customer requirements. Officials said the reform is intended to modernise commercial operations and align the state's regulatory framework with evolving economic needs.
Chief Minister Sukhu said the government remains committed to improving the ease of doing business while safeguarding the rights and welfare of workers. He emphasised that the updated compliance system would be more effective and transparent, ensuring that businesses can operate efficiently without compromising labour protections. The government believes the policy will encourage economic activity, create employment opportunities and strengthen the state's investment climate.
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During the meeting, the chief minister also directed the Labour and Employment Department to fully digitise its services, including the issuance of licences, registrations and certificates. The initiative is expected to reduce paperwork, improve service delivery and make government processes more accessible to citizens and businesses. Officials were instructed to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive welfare scheme benefits promptly and without administrative delays.
Highlighting the government's focus on employment generation, Sukhu reviewed the progress of the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-up Yojana-2023. Under the scheme, young entrepreneurs are being provided a 50 per cent subsidy for purchasing electric taxis. The chief minister announced that during the 2026-27 financial year, an additional 500 youth will receive the subsidy, with Rs 50 crore allocated in the state budget to support the initiative.
The government is also expanding support for electric mobility through financial assistance for e-rickshaw purchases. Sukhu said that around 500 young beneficiaries will receive a 50 per cent capital subsidy through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) during the current financial year. The combined measures, including labour law reforms, digital governance initiatives and employment-focused schemes, form part of the state's broader strategy to promote economic growth, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.
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