Navigating Shop & Establishment Act: Do We Need to Register Each Center Separately?

Dear All members, I am working in a company that has two parts: 1. Manufacturing Industry 2. Agri Service Division. I am responsible for all HR work in our Agri Service Division. Our division has 20 centers throughout India, including 15 in Gujarat and the rest in other states. Many of the centers are located in towns or villages. The Head Office of our Agri Service Division is also situated in a small village.

Registration Under the Shop & Establishment Act

1. In my opinion, we need to register all our centers individually under the Shop & Establishment Act. Please correct me if my understanding is wrong.

2. If we do need to register under the S & E Act, I am unsure of the office's name in the village or town for registration. Please suggest the office in the village or town.

I kindly request everyone to provide guidance on the points mentioned above.

Regards, Vijay

You are right in saying that one has to register all the branches/establishments separately as the Shops Act is a State Act. All branches have a separate entity in the eyes of the Shops Act. It might be possible that some of the areas may not fall within the jurisdiction where the Shops Act may not be declared as applicable.

You can go through the Government offices directory to have contact numbers of the local offices of the labor or registering authority of the Shops Act registration. You can also take the help of other nearby establishments to have the details on this subject.

Opinion/comments submitted as requested.

Regards,
R.N. Khola

Thank you very much for your guidance and prompt reply, Shri R.N.Khola Saheb. I also request you to clarify the following:

1. Can we contact the "Gram Panchayat" in the village and the "Nagar Palika" in town for the registration of our branches?

2. Is the Shop & Establishment Act the same as the "Gumastadhara Act"? Please guide and clarify.

Regards,
Vijay

I suggest that you contact the nearby shops or establishment owner to gain knowledge about the local Shops Act registration.

Regards,
R N KHOLA

Thank you very much for your kind suggestions and guidance. At least, I could clarify the above topics. Once again, thanks a lot.

Regards