Chandigarh's biz booster: Shops to open seven days a week

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 9

Shops in the UT can now open seven days a week.

In a notification issued today, the UT Administration exempted all shops and commercial establishments covered under the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishment Act, 1958, for a period of three months “as there is a need to boost the economy by liberalisation of rules in view of the adverse effect of Covid on the economy”.

With the exemption, the employers of shops and commercial establishments are allowed to open their outlets on all days, but they have to comply with all provisions of the Act/rules relating to employment, working conditions, rest interval, weekly offs and other restrictions.

Opening and closing hours of all these shops and commercial establishments will remain the same on all seven days of a week as notified by the UT Administration from time to time.

The notification stated that the employees should work on a rotational basis so that the mandatory weekly rest can be given to them.

The Chandigarh Beopar Mandal has welcomed the UT move allowing shops to open throughout the week to tide over the crisis induced by the lockdown.

Charanjiv Singh, chairman, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal, said it would help traders pay rent and salaries, and bear other expenses. However, it should be the shopkeeper’s prerogative to open or keep the shop closed on Sunday, he added.

“We assure the Administration that a weekly off will be given to the staff,” he said.

However, the Administration clarified that the orders issued separately regarding the odd-even formula in selected markets would continue to be in operation.