Thu Mar 20 05:07:06 UTC 2025: ## West Bengal Legalizes Women’s Employment in Bars
**Kolkata, March 20, 2025** – The West Bengal Assembly passed a bill on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, removing the ban on women working in “on” category liquor shops. The amendment to the Bengal Excise Act of 1909 addresses what the state government considers discriminatory practices. “On” category shops allow liquor consumption on the premises, unlike “off” shops which are solely for sales.
Minister of State Chandrima Bhattacharya stated that the government does not believe in gender discrimination. The bill also includes provisions to monitor the supply of raw materials to combat illegal liquor production and offers tax relief to smaller tea gardens struggling since the pandemic. The government reports no significant financial implications resulting from the bill’s enactment.
First Piper 