Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced that shops and commercial establishments in the state would now be allowed to operate round the clock following amendments to the state’s labour laws.
Chairing a review meeting of the Labour and Employment Department here last evening, Sukhu reviewed various schemes being implemented by the department and directed officials to ensure that the benefits of welfare programmes reach all eligible beneficiaries in a timely manner.
Sukhu said the state government had amended the Himachal Pradesh Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1969, and the related rules to promote trade and industry and encourage ease of doing business in the state.
“Under the amended provisions, the Act would be implemented more effectively across the state and shops and commercial establishments have been permitted to operate round the clock. This would provide greater flexibility to businesses and enable consumers to shop at their convenience,” he added.
He further said that the government was making the compliance system more effective to further improve the ease of doing business while simultaneously strengthening the protection and welfare of workers.
The Chief Minister has also directed the Labour and Employment Department to fully digitise the process of providing all services, including certificates and licences, so that people do not face any inconvenience in obtaining these documents.
Sukhu further said that the youth was being provided 50 per cent subsidy for the purchase of e-taxis under the Rajiv Gandhi Swarozgaar Start-up Yojana-2023. In the financial year 2026-27, 500 more youth would be provided a 50 per cent subsidy for purchasing e-taxis, for which a provision of Rs 50 crore has been made in the budget.
During the financial year 2026-27, 500 youth would also be extended a 50 per cent capital subsidy through direct benefit transfer (DBT) for the purchase of e-rickshaws, he added. Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Chief Secretary KK Pant, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Secretary Priyanka Basu Ingty, Labour Commissioner Virender Sharma and other senior officers of the department attended the meeting.
