Haryana Vidhan Sabha Passes Bill to Ease Compliance for Small Businesses

The Haryana Vidhan Sabha has approved the Haryana Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Bill of 2025 on Monday. The aim is to lessen the regulatory burden on smaller businesses to boost economic growth while safeguarding workers’ rights. Labour Minister Anil Vij, the bill’s proponent, highlighted that the changes benefit both workers and shop owners. The Bill raises the threshold for mandatory registration from zero employees to 20 or more, exempting smaller establishments from this requirement. These businesses will only need to inform authorities about their operations, eliminating the need for a formal registration certificate. Previously, even shops without employees were obligated to register, a practice still followed in some states like Karnataka. The Minister conducted a comparative study of registration norms and working hour regulations across various states in India. The Bill also extends the daily working hours from nine to ten, with a maximum of 48 hours per week, aligning with norms in other states. Overtime hours have been increased from 50 to 156 hours per quarter, allowing businesses to manage peak demands or emergencies effectively. This adjustment aims to boost economic activity, create more job opportunities, and provide flexibility to businesses without disrupting operations. The move also seeks to enhance workers’ earning potential, formalize overtime practices, and prevent worker exploitation, although overtime remains voluntary for employees.