Hyderabad, August 03: It wasn’t a very pleasant Sunday for mall managements in the city as Labour Department officials cracked down on outlets that have been merrily ignoring labour rules altogether. The mall crawling janta stood and gaped as Labour officials raided Hyderabad Central at Punjagutta, Lifestyle at Begumpet and Big Bazar at Ameerpet.
The officials said Hyderabad Central, Lifestyle, Big Bazar and a few other malls have the permission to stay open on all 365 days. But they discovered that the managements of these malls had leased space to many other retail outlets. As such, these outlets cannot carry on business on Sundays. However, in violation to the government permission, mall authorities have been permitting these outlets to function even on Sundays and national holidays.
Based on a tip-off, Labour Department officials zoned in on all the employees working with retail outlets which are not part of Hyderabad Central, Lifestyle and Big Bazar brands. The employees were asked to show their Identification Cards given by their employers. “All the employees working in Hyderabad Central do not have common identification cards. Those working in leased retail outlets in the mall carry different cards given by their employers,” said Joint Commissioner Of Labour B Ajay.
Officials said Pantaloon’s Retail India Ltd under whose fold Hyderabad Central and Big Bazar are functioning, have the exemption to conduct business for 365 days. But many brands like Adora Jewellery, Guess Watches, Neeru’s, Trisha, Rang Manch, Biba, Mother Earth, Play Life have been conducting business on Sundays as well. Labour officials said they found 30 ‘outside’ retailers conducting their business at Lifestyle and 150 at Central.
“None of the outlets in these malls have the mandatory registration under Shops and Establishments Act 1988,” Ajay added. He said that a criminal case under Sec 420 of the Indian Penal Code would be registered against all these malls. “We will also recommend to the government that the exemption given to these malls be cancelled, since they have violated the terms and conditions,” Ajay said.
Officials were seen asking the employees of these retail outlets to go home and enjoy the ‘holiday’. Last week, Labour Department officials had forcefully closed Shoppers Stop mall at Begumpet. Notices were slapped on Bata outlets at Ameerpet, Chikadpally and Abids for staying open on Sunday. This has been a long pending issue between Labour officials and Bata as the latter continued to keep its outlets open on Sundays, despite repeated notices.
Authorities of Hyderabad Central declined to comment on the issue.
Most shop-owners in the vicinity of the malls closed their outlets for the day fearing a chain of raids.
–Agencies–