Applying For Shop Act In Pune

Whenever an entrepreneur starts a new business, there are some permits and registrations which must be procured to conduct the business legally. These are mandatory for the business to operate. One such permit is the Shop Act Licence. Any citizen of Maharashtra who wishes to open a new shop or any commercial establishment and wants to commence their business within the jurisdiction of the Government of Maharashtra, has to register itself under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service)  Act, 2017.

What Is Shop Act?

Here are things you need to know about shop act in India –

• Yearly thousands of businesses get registered in Pune, but along with registration of the business it is necessary for the shop owners to take Shop Act Intimation/Registration license for the betterment of the employees. 
• The Shop Act provides statutory obligation and rights to employees and employers in the unorganized sector of employment, that is, shops and establishments.
• The Shop Act is intended to control installment of wages, long periods of work, leaves, holidays, and other states of work of individuals utilized in shop and business foundations.
• Thus, the Shop Act helps regulate the conditions of work and employment in shops and commercial establishments.
• This Shop Act Licence and registration is for all businesses in Maharashtra, excluding Navi Mumbai.

Benefits Of Applying For Shop Act

The Shop Act is mandatory for businesses in Pune and Maharashtra. However, apart from that businesses too, benefit from the Shop Act. Some of the advantages of Shop Act for businesses include-

• A business by procuring the Shop Act becomes compliant to the existing labour laws. 
• The Government of India offers several beneficial schemes which the business can avail if it is registered under Shop Act. In fact Shop Act is a prerequisite for availing the benefits of the several Government schemes.
• The Shop Act helps organise the various business sectors, including manufacturing, services and trading, thus helping set rules and regulations for the business. 
• Shop Act is a necessity when opening a bank account for the business. Thus having a Shop Act in place, speedens the process of applying for loans and subsequently their approval too.

What Does The Shop Act Regulate?

Shop Act for enterprises and businesses regulates the following aspects of the business and its employees-

Applicability Of Shop Act

• Which businesses can apply for Shop Act? 
  • Shop Act in Pune or elsewhere in Maharashtra is a licence for commercial establishments. The businesses that can apply include-
    • Commercial sector businesses, such as banking, trading or insurance establishments.
    • Commercial establishments where individuals are employed or engaged to do office work or provide service.
    • Businesses such as hotels, eateries and boarding houses or a smaller café or refreshment house.
    • Amusement and entertainment places such as theatres and cinema halls or amusement parks.

Eligibility for applying for Shop Act

• There are certain eligibility factors that need to be considered while applying for a Shop Act in Pune which are discussed here-
  • It is a mandatory requirement for businesses if the premises of the business are located within the municipal limits, even if it is conducted from home or from a residential premise.
  • The Shop Act Intimation or Registration certificate needs to be compulsorily displayed at a prominent place within the business premises.
  • The number of employees will decide whether the business will apply online for a Shop Act Intimation licence or a Shop Act Registration.
  •  The applicability of Shop Act Intimation is for establishments that are employing a maximum of upto 9 employees.
  • The Shop Act Registration is for establishments that are employing more than 9 employees.

Shop Act In Pune

The process and steps to obtain a Shop Act Intimation in Pune or Maharashtra ( except Navi Mumbai), whether it is Shop Act Intimation or Registration, are the same. The process is completely online, but to apply for Shop Act Intimation the applicant will have to first register with MAITRI (Maharashtra Industry, Trade And Investment Facilitation Cell) website. 

The steps to apply for Shop Act are as follows-

• Step 1- Register with the MAITRI website.
• Step 2- Login to the MAITRI site and fill in details about the business.
• Step 3- Choose the Shop Act service under the option “Services Provided”-  “Labour Department”.
• Step 4- Upload the documents required for the Registration. 
• Step 5- Make the payment for registering with MAITRI website.
• Step 6- Fill Form F for the actual application process for the Shop Act Intimation/Registration licence.
• Step 7- Upload documents  pertaining to the owners as required for Shop Act.
• Step 8- Pay the fees to apply for the Registration or Intimation.
• Step 9- Download the receipt after making the payment.
• Step 10- On completing the payment process applicants can download the Shop Act Intimation, payment receipt and filed form.

The detailed step by step process for applying for the Shop Act Intimation can be found in the Shop Act Intimation Checklist. 

Information Required While Applying For Shop Act

While applying for Shop Act in Pune (or Maharashtra), certain information regarding the business needs to be furnished. The information required for the application process includes the following which needs to be in provided in English and Marathi-

Documents Required For Procuring Shop Act

The list of documents required to be uploaded online while applying for Shop Act in Pune or elsewhere in Maharashtra, excluding Navi Mumbai, include-

• Scanned copy of photo of the applicant 
• Scanned copy of the signature of the applicant 
• Applicant’s ID proof (Aadhaar card) 
• Establishment Photo (Photo of the sign board of the business) 
• Business specific licenses, such as FSSAI, RTO Transport permit, The Food and Drugs Administration License, etc.
• Documents pertaining to the constitution of the business –
  • For a Partnership firm – the Partnership Deed
  • For a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) – the LLP Agreement
  • For a Private Limited Company and OPC – the Certificate of Incorporation
  • For a Trust – the Trust Deed
  • For a Co-operative Society –  the copy of Bye-laws.

Validity Of Shop Act

The validity of Shop Establishment License is for one year. It can be renewed every year.

Shop Act Office In Pune

The entire application process for Shop Act in Pune is carried out online and is the same for the rest of Maharashtra as well, apart from Navi Mumbai. Any queries can also be addressed online via their website. However, in case the applicant needs to visit a physical location in Pune then the address for the office is-

• Bungalow No. 5, Old Mumbai – Pune Hwy, Narveer Tanaji Wadi, Shivajinagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411005.

The Shop Act is thus a mandatory requirement for starting any business is Pune, without which businesses can be liable to penalties. For assistance regarding Shop Act, elaboration on its salient features and for applying for the same, businesses can contact deAsra website or the team.