TN govt allows shops, commercial establishments to remain open 24X7 for next 3 years

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has issued an order extending permission for shops and establishments in the state to remain open 24x7 for the next three years. The government order, issued by the department of Labour Welfare and Skill Development on May 8, will come into effect from June 6, 2025, and will apply to shops and commercial establishments employing 10 or more persons.

The GO follows Chief Minister MK Stalin's announcement at the Tamil Nadu Vanigar Sangam Peramaippu conference held on May 5 in Madurantakam, where he assured to extend the permission for another three years. The previous GO, which allowed shops and establishments to operate round the clock, remains valid until June 4, 2025, according to a statement from the Labour department.

This extension is expected to benefit the general public by improving access to services and enhancing economic activity.

Aerohub in Meenambakkam, Kathipara Urban Square, Kora food street in Anna Nagar were a few of the popular food courts in Chennai that operate round the clock. There has been a long pending demand of commercial establishments to allow food and beverages outlets and night clubs to operate during night hours to match the cosmopolitan culture of Bengaluru. It may be recalled that the former chief Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister (2014-18), Arvind Subramanian, had suggested that Chennai should have more options for nightlife to attract more investments.