Maharashtra govt has second thoughts on businesses staying open 24/7

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, January 21

The Uddhav Thackeray Cabinet will discuss the proposal to allow malls, restaurants and multiplexes to stay open 24/7 on Wednesday amidst opposition from a section of the government.

According to officials in the state home department, the police authorities have opposed the move to keep business establishments open 24/7 as they would have to deploy more personnel on the streets.

“The state administration will take a decision on the matter as the police may have to deploy more personnel,” Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, who belongs to the NCP, told reporters here.

The proposal to keep businesses open 24x7 is the brainchild of Maharashtra’s Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray.

Under the proposal, multiplexes, malls and restaurants that do not serve alcohol may be allowed to stay open round the clock.

While around 20-24 establishments are to be allowed to operate 24x7 on a trial basis before being extended to the whole of Mumbai, say sources.

The move has been opposed by the opposition BJP.

Party leader Raj Purohit said nightlife was not a part of Indian culture. He also told reporters here that allowing restaurants, bars and pubs to stay open round the clock could increase the incidents of rapes in the city.