The Bihar Government has published the Bihar Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Repeal) Bill, 2026 in the Bihar Gazette Extraordinary dated 23 July 2026.
The Bill was introduced in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on 22 July 2026 and proposes to repeal the Bihar Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2025 — Bihar Act No. 09 of 2025.
🔍 Why Is the Repeal Proposed?
The Bihar Government has observed that several provisions of the Bihar Shops and Establishments Act, 2025 overlap with the four Labour Codes, particularly the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020.
The proposed repeal aims to:
✅ Remove duplicate labour law provisions
✅ Simplify employer compliance
✅ Promote ease of doing business
✅ Encourage industrial investment in Bihar
✅ Align State compliance with the new Labour Codes
📌 What Happens to Earlier Actions?
Registrations, inspections, notices, proceedings, orders and other actions already taken under the 2025 Act will continue to remain valid despite the proposed repeal.
The Bill also proposes to repeal the Bihar Shops and Establishments Repeal Ordinance, 2026, while protecting actions already taken under the Ordinance.
⚠️ Important Compliance Clarification
The Gazette dated 23 July 2026 publishes a Repeal Bill and not the final enacted Repeal Act.
Employers should therefore continue maintaining their existing:
🔹 Registrations and licences
🔹 Statutory registers and records
🔹 Notices and returns
🔹 Working-hours compliance
🔹 Overtime and weekly-off records
🔹 Leave and wage-related compliance
🔹 Women night-shift safeguards
The proposed repeal does not mean that shops and commercial establishments in Bihar will become free from labour law compliance.
Requirements relating to wages, working hours, overtime, leave, workplace safety, social security and employment conditions may continue under the applicable Labour Codes and Rules.