Shops And Restaurants In Indian Cities May Soon Remain Open 24x7

In Delhi, it is almost impossible to find shops, restaurants and other establishments open after 11 pm. And, finding 24x7 shops in other Indian cities is no better. However, this might soon change. The Union Cabinet on June 29 approved the Model Shop & Establishment Act, setting the stage for shops and other establishments to be able to remain open around the clock.

So far, Indian cities seem to only sleep at night, unlike other top cities of the world. In the United States, 90 per cent of the 1,52,794 convenience stores listed by the National Association of Convenience Stores – 1,500 of those in New York City – are open around the clock. This was not always the case. Decades ago, when convenience stores did not really exist in the US, people had a really hard time getting what they wanted, after midnight. But this was so long ago. The Americans of today cannot imagine cities without convenience stores.

The transition that took place in the US, however, was not easy. Before 24x7 stores, there used to be 7-Eleven stores, which would be open from 7 am to 11 pm. It took them 36 years to see that it was even more profitable to stay open throughout the night. Many artists and intellectuals find such stores unaesthetic. People have blamed such stores for threatening the racial integrity of neighbourhoods, and for allowing anti-social activities. But convenience stores do deliver the goods. Otherwise, they would not have been so popular.

By comparison, in most Indian cities, if you need something at midnight, you need to wait until next morning, or somehow find a store if you are lucky. The few such stores cater to people who work late into the night, or work in night shifts. When stores are open in the night, children and women will find it much safer to walk or travel at night. It will also be easier to travel at night, because there will always be demand for the services of drivers.

PropGuide takes a look at the major reforms proposed in the Model Shops & Establishments Act

• Establishments that have ten or more workers, other than manufacturing units, will be free to operate throughout the year. These establishments will be free to decide when to open and close. 

• But this will not be applicable to people in management positions, workers who travel to work, employees in oil or mine fields, or temporary establishments in bazaars. 

• The RBI, banks, insurance companies and factories do not come under the purview of this Act. 

• Women will be free to work throughout the night.

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