Guwahati, March 20: In a major economic reform, the Assam Cabinet has approved 24×7 operations for shops and business establishments in the municipal corporation areas of Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Silchar, giving business owners the flexibility to remain open seven days a week.
The decision aims to boost employment, increase earnings for small traders, and enhance economic activity in the state.
Announcing the decision, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma clarified that while shops can operate round the clock, employees cannot work beyond 48 hours per week in a single shift, ensuring compliance with labour laws. Business owners must employ staff in multiple shifts to facilitate extended operations.
“No mandatory weekly closure for shops in the designated cities. Liquor shops in Dibrugarh and Silchar can operate only until midnight. In other parts of Assam, business establishments can remain open until 2 AM. Employees must not exceed 48 work hours per week, and businesses must adopt a shift system,” Sarma said.
“This move will generate more employment opportunities for the state’s youth while ensuring fair work conditions,” Sarma said. He also noted that small traders will see an increase in income due to extended operational hours.
Other major cabinet decisions
The Cabinet approved the construction of the MLA and Speaker’s hostel and the Secretariat building in Dibrugarh is progressing as planned and will be completed within a year.
The Cabinet also approved the conversion of two Proposed Reserve Forests (PRFs)—Saraibaha in Kamrup and Pura Gaon in Bongaigaon—into Reserved Forests (RFs), increasing Assam’s forest cover by 700 hectares.
“The Cabinet gave its nod for relaxation of the upper age limit for National Health Mission (NHM) employees and nurses applying for various state health department posts,” he said.
The Cabinet further approved the renaming of Goalpara Civil Hospital after Swahid Nidhanu Ram Rajbongshi, a freedom fighter from 1942.
The cabinet also approved statewide health camps in all rural wellness centers, starting March 31.
“Abandoned school campuses resulting from school amalgamation will now be repurposed for government use. District Commissioners can also allow NGOs to utilize these properties, subject to state approval,” he said.
The cabinet also gave its nod to the first statues of Pragjyotishpur University and Auniati Viswavidyalaya.
The cabinet approved the creation of a new development block at Semen Sisi Tangoni under Jonai Legislative Assembly Constituency, Dhemaji district.
The cabinet gave its approval to amendments to three Autonomous Council Acts—Kamatapur, Moran, and Matack—allowing the inclusion of ST, SC, OBC, MOBC, and non-majority villages in their respective councils.
