Hyderabad to become ‘THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS’
Government allows businesses to operate 24/7 in Telangana
Hitherto, only Mumbai city in India was called as the city that never sleeps. However, paving way for Hyderabad too join the club of ‘the city that never sleeps’, Telangana government has issued a new order to allow business establishments operate 24/7.
The G.O.Ms.No.4, dated April 4, 2023 of the labour employment training and factories (lab-1) department reads, “In the circumstances reported by the commissioner of labour, Telangana, Hyderabad in the letter read above, government after careful examination of the matter hereby decides to issue guidelines for granting exemption from Section 7(Opening & Closing Hours) of the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act, 1988 to all shops and establishments as defined in section 2 (21) of the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act, 1988 for operating 24/7 in the Telangana state subject to certain conditions”.
The conditions as per the new order include that ID cards be issued, weekly off be given, weekly working hours be specified, overtime wages be fixed, compensatory holiday with wages in view of employees attending duty on a notified national/festival holiday, adequate safety of women employees, consent of women employees to work in the night shift, two way transport for women employees working in night shift, the management shall maintain the records and furnish returns as prescribed by the state government within time subject to compliance of provisions under the police Act and rules in force and subject to payment of annual fee of Rs 10,000 for each store to open 24/7 under the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act 1988.
So far, many businesses mainly eateries used to run their establishments secretly and through bribing corrupt officials. But the new order allows the business establishments run their businesses without fear or seeking favour from officials.
Though business community, particularly eateries and transport operators hail the move, there is apprehension among the common people that this would result in spike in crime such as robberies, prostitution and drug trade etc. Even several police officials, on condition of anonymity, expressed displeasure over the government move saying it would only add to the already overburdened police.