Odisha allows women to work in night shifts, written consent mandatory
The Labour and Employees' State Insurance Department issued a detailed guideline, allowing women to work in night shifts in factories, shops and other commercial establishments.
At least three women employees should be there on the night shift, and adequate transportation facilities with a GPS-tracking system to pick and drop them should be arranged, it said.
No adolescent women will be allowed to work, whether as an employee or otherwise, in any establishment during the night, it said.
"The employer shall provide toilet or washroom and drinking water facilities near the workplace where such women employees are employed, with provisions of closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance and proper lighting, including the passages towards conveniences," it added.
The decision will increase employment opportunities for women, the notification said.
The state government has recently made amendments to the Odisha Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1956, allowing women to work in night shifts.
Labour Minister Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia said, "After getting instructions from the Centre, we have allowed women to work at night. Female employees will have to give their written consent, expressing their willingness to work at night."
The opposition BJD, however, criticised the government.
"Women will have to give a self-declaration to work on the night shifts. It means they will have to protect themselves. By doing so, the government is trying to give up its responsibility," BJD leader Pramila Mallik alleged.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
BJP calls for boycott of Kamal Haasan's movies over ‘sanatana dharma' remarks
The Tamil Nadu BJP on Tuesday urged people to boycott movies featuring the actor-politician Kamal Haasan, in a response to his comments on 'sanatana dharma' made at a charity event held on Sunday. Veteran actor Kamal Haasan said that only education has the power to change the nation and it is the only weapon that can break the shackles of dictatorship and Sanatana. (PTI) BJP state secretary Amar Prasad Reddy posted a video message onto his social media accounts, wherein he said: 'Earlier it was Udhayanidhi Stalin. Now, it is Kamal who wants to destroy sanatana dharma. Let's teach them a lesson.' 'I appeal to every Hindu to not watch Kamal's movies, not even on OTT. If we do this, they will not share such irresponsible statements that hurt millions of Hindus on public platforms,' he added. At the event on Sunday organised by Agaram Foundation, a non-profit run by fellow Tamil actor Suriya, Kamal Haasan said: 'Only education has the power to change the nation. It is the only weapon that can break the shackles of dictatorship and Sanatana.' The actor was referring to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which the ruling DMK wants abolished. Haasan also said that a central exam for medical admissions was a barrier for marginalised students. 'Do not take any other weapon in your hand. It isn't possible to win with any other weapon because ignorant majoritarianism will defeat you,' added Haasan, who recently became a member of the Rajya Sabha after being nominated by the DMK after his party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) entered into an alliance with them ahead of the Lok Sabha elections last year. The controversy around the actor's comments recalled the row that erupted in 2023 around deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's call for the eradication of sanatana dharma, wherein he said: 'Just like dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or coronavirus need to be eradicated, we have to eradicate Sanatana.' Historically, the DMK has considered sanatana dharma to be a centuries-old issue which compounds caste and gender-based discrimination. This point has found itself echoed by the writings of BR Ambedkar. Haasan's former co-actor Khusboo Sundar, who was recently appointed vice president of the state BJP, said that Haasan's comments were unnecessary. 'I feel Kamal sir speaking at an event like this about education and bringing in Sanatana was absolutely uncalled for, unwanted,' Sundar told PTI. 'You could have just stressed on the importance of education because we all agree education is your biggest weapon. Speaking there about Sanatana was absolutely wrong because nobody is including education with Sanatana...,' he added. Haasan has not personally issued any response to the BJP's criticism, as of the time of going to print. Meanwhile, DMK spokesperson A Saravanan said that the entire right wing was enraged with Haasan's speech. 'Kamal Haasan has hit the bull's eye. They (the right wing) don't know how to react. They are not able to attack him and know his powers of amplification,' he said.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Himachal HC quashes Section 163-A of states Land Revenue Act
Last Updated: Shimla, Aug 5 (PTI) In a major setback to encroachers on government lands, the Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday struck down the section 163-A of Himachal Pradesh Land Revenue Act 1954, allowing regularisation of encroachments on government lands, terming the section as unconstitutional. A division bench of the High Court consisting of Justice Vivek Thakur and Justice Bipin Chander Negi ruled that the 'Section 163-A of HP Land Revenue Act is manifestly arbitrary and unconstitutional and as a consequence the section and the rules framed there under the said section are quashed". Putting an end to long litigation, the judgment directed the state government to initiate eviction proceedings expeditiously against all such encroachments that were to be covered under the section 163A, preferably on or before February 28, 2026. The dimensions of the encroachments can be measured from the reply of the government which said that there were approximately 57,549 cases of encroachment covering an area of about 1,23,835 bighas of government land. The encroached government land is about 10,320 hectares and in terms of the rules framed under the impugned provision, 1,67,339 applications were received for regularisation up to August 15, 2002 and taking into account the magnitude of encroachments, the high court directed the state government to consider an amendment in the law pertaining to 'criminal trespass". The HC also instructed the advocate general to transmit the copy of the judgment to the chief secretary of the sate government and all concerned with immediate compliance. Since 1983, successive governments issued various notifications for regularisation of encroachments and the July 4, 1983 notification permitted regularisation up to five bighas on a nominal fee of Rs 50 per bigha. Section 163-A was introduced in 2002 during the first tenure of the then chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal to frame rules for regularising encroachments, with the stated objective of helping small and marginal farmers. However, the High Court on Tuesday ruled that the provision was violative of Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before law and attempted to legitimise illegal acts. 'The impugned provision is in fact legislation for a class of dishonest persons and equality cannot be claimed in illegality," the judgment said. PTI BPL MNK MNK MNK view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 01:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
Inaugural India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue held in Delhi
Last Updated: New Delhi, Aug 5 (PTI) The inaugural edition of India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was held here on Tuesday with an aim to discuss security perspectives and further bolster bilateral cooperation, officials said. The meeting was co-chaired by Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), defence ministry, Amitabh Prasad and Head of International Branch, Ministry of Defence, New Zealand, Kathleen Pearce. 'Both nations expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation and identified means to enhance the existing areas of collaboration, especially in the fields of training, capability building, defence industry, maritime security and multinational cooperation," the Indian defence ministry said. The co-chairs also articulated steps in the direction of emerging areas of cooperation and issues pertaining to global commons, officials said. 'The Indian side complimented New Zealand for its successful command of CTF-150 in which five Indian Navy personnel were also deputed as staff. Both sides also discussed ways to build up ongoing White Shipping Information Exchange towards enhancement of information sharing," the defence ministry said in a statement. India-New Zealand Defence Strategic Dialogue was constituted under an MoU signed between the two countries in March 2025, a significant milestone in intensifying defence relations. India and New Zealand engagements span a wide spectrum of cooperation – political, defence and security collaboration, capacity building and education. These developments reflect mutual trust, shared democratic values, the deep-rooted people-to-people ties and a mutual love for cricket that binds both nations. As part of the official visit to India, Pearce also called on Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi on August 4. PTI KND RHL RHL view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
