All shops, except bars and liquor outlets, can operate 24×7 in Maharashtra, clarifies govt

Citing provisions of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017, the circular notes that under Section 16(1)(b), establishments can remain open on all days of the week, provided that each employee is granted a continuous rest period of 24 hours once every week.

The 2017 law regulates the working conditions and rights of employees in commercial establishments across Maharashtra. Section 2(2) of the Act defines a “day” as 24 hours beginning at midnight. The government has clarified that “subject to weekly off provisions, all establishments other than those serving or selling liquor are permitted to remain open 24×7”.

However, the circular makes it clear that liquor-serving establishments — including permit rooms, beer bars, dance bars, hookah parlours, discotheques, and wine shops — will continue to operate only within the time limits prescribed by the state’s notification of December 19, 2017.

Earlier, theatres and cinema halls too were brought under time restrictions, but they were exempted through a notification on January 31, 2020.

The state government has now directed district administrations and police authorities to ensure strict adherence to these provisions and to avoid creating obstacles for establishments that are legally entitled to operate round the clock.

The initiative is expected to enhance commercial activity in Maharashtra, particularly in urban centres such as Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, where there is a high demand for late-night shopping, services, and dining.

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