The Telangana government has permitted shops, restaurants, and cafes to operate 24/7 in the state. The guidelines issued by the Labor department have modified the opening and closing hour rules for all shops and establishments as defined in the Telangana Shops and Establishments Act 1988.
This decision puts Hyderabad in the same category as cities like Mumbai that are open around the clock. The move is expected to have a significant impact on the city as previously shops and restaurants had to shut down by 11 p.m. or 12 a.m., leading to illegalities where certain food joints stayed open in secret.
Restaurateurs have welcomed the move, although some are cautious about the increase in operational costs. The guidelines issued for the welfare of employees include overtime wages, consent of women to work in the night shift, to and fro transport for women employees in night shift, weekly working hours and other clauses.
The move will also benefit players in all sectors, including entertainment, recreation, and food and beverage, to extend their current products and services, or innovate upon more novel initiatives.
The guidelines will also address the issue of safety, which was previously used as an excuse to shut down restaurants. The Labor department has included several clauses in the guidelines to ensure the welfare of employees who work during the night shift. To sum up, the decision is progressive and forward-thinking and is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the city.
