People shop at a market in Srinagar. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday (November 30, 2025) began implementing new laws that allow business establishments to function round-the-clock in the Union Territory.
The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary at a one-day conference in Jammu on ‘Empowered Labour Force: Transforming Challenges into Opportunities’.
“The government will ensure workers’ dignity, safety, and job security, and transparent business practices in J&K. Key decisions taken by the government include permission for 24×7 business operations, enhanced safeguards for women, and restoration of the annual ‘darbar move’ [of the Assembly from Srinagar to Jammu],” Mr. Choudhary said.
He termed the recently introduced J&K Shops and Establishments Bill, 2025 as a “historic reform” involving “major steps towards economic revitalisation”.
The Bill was passed by the J&K Assembly in October and was aimed at amending and consolidating the laws relating to regulation of employment, and other conditions of service of workers employed in shops and establishments.
Labourers are the backbone of J&K’s economy, the Deputy CM said. “The government is fully committed to ensure their dignity, safety, and job security,” he added.
The conference was organised by the J&K Department of Labour and Employment to raise awareness on labour reforms, and the smooth implementation of the Central government’s four new Labour Codes across the Union Territory.
“All the stakeholders have to work collectively for a modern, fair and progressive labour ecosystem in J&K,” Mr. Choudhary said, referring to Labour Codes.
Published – November 30, 2025 08:41 pm IST
