Timings will depend on the shop owners

SHIMLA: Aiming to promote tourism in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has taken a major decision. Accordingly, the government has relaxed the time limit for closing hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other commercial establishments in the state. This exemption has been given under the provisions of the Shops and Establishments Act-1969 for the convenience of tourists, common citizens and other stakeholders, under which now dhabas, restaurants, hotels and commercial establishments can remain open 24 hours. However, the timings will depend on the shop owners. There will be no compulsion on them to keep the shops open 24 hours.

Notably, It is the effort of the state government that the people of the state get the full benefit of the current tourism season and the tourists coming here do not have to face any kind of trouble. Accordingly, appropriate guidelines have been issued to the District Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police and other officials. With this decision of the government, tourists will get a lot of convenience. They will not have to wander late into the night in search of food and drink. Tourism industry plays an important role in the economy of the state and lakhs of people are associated with this industry, who will directly get benefit from this decision of the government.

Naresh Chauhan, Chief Media Advisor to the Chief Minister, said that the Chief Minister has taken a major decision to change the system to promote tourism. According to this, now hotels, restaurants, dhabas and other commercial establishments in the state will be able to be kept open 24 hours at will.