LG approves proposal to boost Delhi’s ‘night life’

Lt. Governor VK Saxena has approved the proposal to exempt 314 applications of hotel and restaurant owners, online eateries, medicines, and other essential commodities, to operate on 24×7 basis in the National Capital, starting from next week.
Such applications were pending since 2016. The LG has directed that notification to this effect should be issued within seven days. The decision provides exemption under Sections 14, 15 and 16 of the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act, 1954. It is expected to boost employment generation and promote a positive and favourable business environment that is a prerequisite for economic growth. The decision will also provide a fillip to the much desired “night life “in the City.
Approving the proposal, the Lt. Governor flagged issues of inordinate delay, adhocism, randomness and unjustified discretion on part of the Labour Department in disposing the applications made by establishments for these exemptions.
It may be noted that out of total 346 pending applications, 18 applications of 2016, 26 applications of 2017, 83 applications of 2018, 25 applications of 2019, 04 applications of 2020 and 74 applications of 2021 had not been processed by the Labour Department on time.
Taking cognisance of the issue, LG said “This shows a complete unprofessional attitude and lack of due diligence on the part of the Labour Department and amounted to the Department having adopted a “pick and choose policy”, in processing such applications.
Such a system may also lead to corrupt practices. Further, inordinately delayed processing of such routine applications also negatively affects the confidence/sentiments of the business community at large”