The Government of Nagaland on March 18th 2025 has published a draft of the proposed Nagaland Shops and Establishment (First Amendment) Rules, 2024, with plans to amend the existing rules under the Nagaland Shops and Establishment Act, 1986. The draft has been made available for public review, and the government invites feedback and suggestions from all concerned parties.
In accordance with Section 34 of the Nagaland Shops and Establishment Act, the government is seeking objections or suggestions regarding these draft amendments, which will be considered before finalizing the rules. The deadline for submission is 30 days from the publication of this notice.
Key Amendments in the Draft Rules
Exemption from Registration (Rule 11A): A significant amendment is the inclusion of a new rule, Rule 11A, which addresses the exemption of establishments from registration. The rule stipulates that all establishments that qualify for exemption under Section 3 of the Nagaland Shops and Establishment Act, 1986 will be exempt from the requirement of registration. This change is intended to streamline processes for certain types of businesses.
Maternity Leave (Rule 24A): Another crucial addition is Rule 24A, which brings the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 into the purview of the Nagaland Shops and Establishment rules. This ensures that maternity leave provisions will apply to women workers, in line with national labor laws, further strengthening worker rights in the state.
Public Participation
The State government encourages the public, particularly business owners, workers, and other stakeholders, to provide their feedback on these amendments. Comments and suggestions can be submitted via email to the Labour Commissioner at labcomm-ngl@nic.in or through post to the Office of the Labour Commissioner, New Secretariat Complex, Kohima, Nagaland (PIN 797001).
This is an important step in the ongoing effort to refine labor laws and ensure they meet the evolving needs of businesses and workers in Nagaland. The government has made it clear that all objections and suggestions will be carefully reviewed before the draft rules are finalized.
