Govt. of Uttarakhand issued a notification allowing Shops and Establishments to operate 24×7

Key Highlights of the Notification

• The Government of Uttarakhand Labour Department issued a notification clarifying that shops and establishments may operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in the state. This clarification is issued under the Uttarakhand Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017.

• The notification states that the Act does not prescribe any specific opening or closing time for shops or establishments, thereby allowing continuous operations if employers choose to do so.

Important Compliance Conditions for Employers

Even though 24×7 operations are allowed, employers must comply with statutory provisions such as the following:

2. Working Hours Limits—Employee working hours must comply with the limits prescribed under the Act.

3. Weekly Holiday – Every employee must be given a weekly holiday.

4. Overtime Wages – Overtime must be paid as per the applicable provisions.

5. Safety Measures – Adequate safety arrangements must be ensured, especially for night shifts.

6. Women Employees – If women are employed during night hours, safety and transport provisions must be ensured.

Practical Impact

• Enables retail, malls, IT/ITES offices, restaurants, and service establishments to operate round-the-clock. Improves tourism, hospitality, and service sector activity in cities like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. Aligns Uttarakhand with other states that allow 24×7 commercial operations under modern shops & establishment frameworks