On Monday, the Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, approvedΒ historic amendments to the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956. These reforms boost Ease of Doing Business, attract fresh investment, empower women, and energize Odishaβs economy.
Odisha is now a serious competitor in Eastern India, challenging states like Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh!Β π
π Key Features of the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act Amendments 2025
| Feature | Old Provision | New Reform |
|---|---|---|
| β° Daily Working Hours | 9 hours | 10 hours (max 48/week) |
| π Continuous Work | 5 hours | 6 hours, then 30-min rest |
| π©βπΌ Night Shift (Women) | Prohibited | Allowed with consent & safety |
| β³ Overtime Limit (3 months) | 50 hours | 144 hours |
| π° Overtime Pay Rate | Double | Double |
| πͺ Shop Hours | Limited by law | 24/7, 365 days a year |
π―Β Key Takeaway:Β Odisha is opening its doors to round-the-clock business, higher productivity, and womenβs empowerment.
π Impact on Workers, Businesses, and Odisha
π·ββοΈ For Workers
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π΅ Higher earning potential with more overtime
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π‘οΈ Mandatory womenβs safety at night
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π Expanded opportunitiesβIT, retail, manufacturing
π’ For Businesses
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π 24/7 operations now possible
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π Less compliance burden, simpler rules
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π Flexible workforce management
ποΈ For Odisha
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π Increased investment appeal (Vedanta, Tata Steel interested)
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π Urban growth in Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Cuttack
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π₯ More jobs for youthβurban and rural
π Women’s Night Shift Empowerment
π©βπΌ Odisha now allows women to work night shifts with written consent and strict safety measures.
π¬ βThis reform unlocks new avenues for Odishaβs women in IT, manufacturing, textiles, and logisticsβespecially in Angul, Sambalpur, and Ganjam.β
Key Protections:
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π Secure transport for commuting women
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π« Zero tolerance for harassment
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β‘ Fast complaint redressal systems
πΊοΈ East India Labor Law Comparison
State |
Max Daily Hours |
Night Shift (Women) |
Overtime Limit |
Special Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
π’ Odisha |
10 |
Allowed (consent & safety) |
144 hrs/qtr (2x pay) |
IT, Retail, Corporate |
π΅ Jharkhand |
8 |
Restricted, extra safety |
Standard (2x pay) |
Mining, Worker Protection |
π‘ WBengal |
9 |
Groups only, strict safety |
Double pay, extra |
Womenβs Safety |
π£ Chhattisgarh |
10 (commercial) |
Restricted, safety measures |
6 hrs/week (2x pay) |
Heavy Industry |
π Education Push: Building Rural Talent
πΒ Godabarisha Adarsha Vidyalaya Scheme:
Model schools at village level will prepare rural youth for Odishaβs industrial boom.
β οΈ Challenges & Safeguards
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π‘οΈΒ Enforce womenβs night safetyβnot just promise
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π Link transport/security to industry growth
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βοΈ Donβt sacrifice worker welfare for productivity
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π Build real compliance/monitoring systems
π€ What This Means for Jharkhand
π€οΈΒ Jharkhand faces a choice:
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π Compete for new investment by relaxing laws?
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π‘οΈ Or double down on worker protection and welfare?
With rich mineral reserves and a booming service sector, Jharkhandβs decisions will shape the future of Eastern Indiaβs economy.
π Points to Remember
β Β Quick Facts:
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β° Odisha: 10-hour days, max 48/week
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π©βπΌ Women can work night shifts (with safety)
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β³ 144 hours overtime limit per quarter
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πͺ Shops can open 24/7
