The Cabinet on Wednesday cleared the Shop and Establishment Act, according to which movie theatres, stores, restaurants, banks and other such businesses can remain open 24x7. The Act also mandates compulsory cab services for women and other facilities for women who work during the night.
Currently, only service sector firms and larger manufacturing units are allowed to operate round the clock. The Act proposes a model for states to follow, though its norms will not be mandatory. It also aims at bringing in uniformity in legislative regulations and working conditions across establishments, in addition to creating more jobs in the country. Employment generation across eight sectors fell to a six-year low in 2015, The Financial Express reported.
Earlier, the Cabinet approved the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission, which includes a 23.6% hike in the salaries and pensions of central government employees.
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