Shops in Puducherry may be permitted to operate at night, employ women on night shifts

After passing four legislations in the Puducherry Legislative Assembly on Thursday (September 18, 2025), the AINRC-BJP government has proposed more “industry-friendly initiatives” in the coming days for the promotion of economic activity and job creation in the Union Territory (UT). 

Topping the list of policy decisions under consideration by the government is a proposal to amend the Puducherry Shops and Establishments Act, 1964, to allow commercial establishments employing more than 50 workers to function day and night on all days, and also permitting women to work on night shifts in such business units. The amendments are being considered after eliciting suggestions from various stakeholders

The guidelines include allowing employees to take one day off in a week on a rotational basis and the need for the employer to display the names of the employees availing holiday/leave on a daily basis. The wages, including payment for overtime, should be credited to the bank account of workers. 

The specific conditions for employing women between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. include their written consent and the provision of toilets, washrooms, and drinking water facilities on the premises. There should be proper lighting in these facilities, and CCTV cameras must be installed on the premises. Also, women should not be employed against the maternity benefit provisions laid down under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

There is also a proposal to exempt all shops and establishments employing fewer than 50 workers from all the provisions of the Puducherry Shops and Establishments Act 1964, said an official.

According to another official, the government has also proposed to bring amendments to the Factories Act to allow women to work in factories during night hours. 

The government also proposes to introduce an online building permission system to handle building plan approvals and the issue of occupancy certificates for all categories of buildings. Under the proposed system, an occupancy certificate will not be required for residential buildings with up to six dwelling units and commercial building with a floor area of up to 500 sq. m.

Assembly session scheduled

For introducing some of the legislations, the government plans to convene the Assembly soon. “We have to get consent for some legislations from the Union government, and once the approval comes, the Assembly will be convened. Another session could be held this month or early next month,” said a member of the ruling party.