On Wednesday, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed a Bill removing the restriction on employing women in ON-category liquor establishments, reinforcing workplace equality. The Bill also aims to regulate raw materials to curb illicit liquor production and offers tax relief to struggling tea estates. The State emphasized that barring women from specific employment opportunities amounts to gender discrimination.
The matter arose when the State government introduced amendments to the Bengal Excise Act, 1909, proposing the removal of the prohibition on employing women in liquor serving establishments. Additionally, the Bill sought to regulate the supply of raw materials like jaggery to prevent illegal liquor manufacturing. Further, amendments to the Bengal Agricultural Income-tax Act, 1944, were proposed to provide relief to tea gardens facing economic distress post-pandemic.
The State government contended that employment laws should be free from gender based restrictions and that barring women from working in liquor-serving establishments was discriminatory. It was argued that such a prohibition contradicted the principles of equality and inclusivity in employment.
The government observed that "the right to work and earn a livelihood cannot be arbitrarily curtailed on the basis of gender." It emphasized that workplace regulations must align with constitutional values, ensuring equal opportunities for all. Furthermore, it noted that regulating raw material supply was essential to prevent illicit liquor trade, protecting public health and state revenue. Addressing the tea industry, the government remarked that economic relief was necessary to sustain smaller tea gardens, which had been severely affected in recent years.
Ultimately, the Bill was passed, lifting restrictions on women's employment in liquor serving establishments, granting regulatory power over raw material supply, and providing financial relief to struggling tea estates.
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