What is a Shop & Establishment License?

The **Shop & Establishment License** (also known as Shop Act License or Gumasta License in some states) is a mandatory registration required for all commercial establishments operating in Bihar under **The Bihar Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1953**. This Act regulates:

• Working hours of employees.
• Rest intervals and spread-over.
• Opening and closing hours of establishments.
• Weekly holidays and other holidays.
• Leaves (annual, casual, sick, maternity).
• Payment of wages and overtime.
• Employment of women and young persons.
• Maintenance of registers and records.
• Cleanliness, lighting, and ventilation.

Who needs this license?

Every shop and commercial establishment, whether or not it has employees, is required to register under this Act within **30 days** of commencing work. This includes:

• Retail shops
• Wholesale establishments
• Offices (including administrative or clerical services)
• Restaurants, hotels, eating houses
• Theaters and places of public amusement or entertainment
• Warehouses, godowns, store-rooms
• Service centers
• Any other establishment carrying on business, trade, or profession.

Exemptions: Certain establishments like those under central/state government, mines, railway dining cars, banking companies (regulated by specific acts), and establishments treating sick/infirm persons may be exempted.

Benefits of Shop & Establishment Registration

• Legal Compliance: Ensures your business operates legally, avoiding penalties and legal issues.
• Business Credibility: Enhances trust with employees, customers, and financial institutions.
• Access to Loans & Benefits: Often a prerequisite for opening a current bank account and availing business loans or government schemes.
• Employee Welfare: Protects employee rights and ensures fair working conditions.
• Proof of Existence: Serves as a basic proof of your commercial establishment.

Online Application Process (Recommended)

The Bihar Labour Resources Department has facilitated online applications through the **ServicePlus Bihar portal** (which is part of Bihar's e-District initiative for various services).

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit the ServicePlus Bihar Portal: Go to https://serviceonline.bihar.gov.in/
2. New User Registration:
   • If you are a new user, you must first register on the portal. Look for the "Register Yourself" or " " (Citizen Section) and then "Self Registration" link.
   • Provide your basic details like full name, email ID, mobile number, and create a password. You will receive an OTP for verification.
   • Once registered, log in using your credentials.
3. Navigate to Labour Services:
   • After logging in, on the left-hand menu, look for "Apply for services" and then click on "View all available services" .
   • Search for "Shops and Establishment Act - Application for Registration Form 1 (Rule 3)" or similar. This service is under the Labour Resources Department.
4. Fill the Application Form (Form I):
   • The online application form (Form I) will appear. Fill in all the required details accurately:
     • District and Sub-division of the establishment.
     • Name of the establishment/shop.
     • Full address of the establishment (including PIN code).
     • Type of establishment (e.g., Shop, Restaurant, Office).
     • Nature of business/trade.
     • Date of commencement of business.
     • Name and address of the employer/owner.
     • Details of employees (number of male/female employees, if applicable).
     • Weekly holiday.
     • Working hours.
5. Upload Required Documents: Scan and upload all necessary documents in the specified format and size. (Refer to the "Documents Required" section below).
6. Review and Submit: Carefully review all the entered information and uploaded documents. Ensure there are no errors. Once satisfied, click the "Submit" button.
7. Pay Application Fee: If applicable, you will be directed to a payment gateway to pay the prescribed registration fee online. The fee varies based on the number of employees. (See fee structure below).
8. Generate Acknowledgment Receipt: After successful submission and payment, an acknowledgment receipt with an application reference number will be generated. Download and print this receipt for your records. This number is crucial for tracking your application status.

Tracking Application Status:

• You can track the status of your application on the ServicePlus Bihar portal under the "Track Application Status" section using your application reference number.
• The Labour Department generally has a stipulated time frame (often 15 working days) for processing these applications.
• You will also receive SMS and email updates on your registered mobile number and email ID.

Downloading the Certificate:

• Once your application is approved, the digitally signed registration certificate will be available for download from your ServicePlus account inbox or the "Download Certificate" section on the portal.

Documents Required for Shop & Establishment License Bihar

While the exact list might vary slightly, typically the following documents are required:

• Identity Proof of Proprietor/Owner: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport.
• Address Proof of Establishment: Rent Agreement (if rented), Sale Deed/Property Ownership Proof (if owned), Electricity Bill, NOC from the property owner (if rented).
• Photograph of the Establishment/Shop: A clear photo with the signboard visible.
• Details of Employees: Number of male and female employees.
• Affidavit regarding Non-Employment of Child Labour: A self-declaration ensuring no child labor is employed.
• Business Constitution Proof (if applicable):
  • For Proprietorship: No specific document (owner's ID and address proof suffice).
  • For Partnership Firm: Partnership Deed.
  • For LLP/Company: Certificate of Incorporation, LLP Agreement, Memorandum of Association (MOA), Articles of Association (AOA).
• Bank Account Details: (Sometimes required) Cancelled Cheque or Bank Statement of the business bank account.
• GST Registration Certificate: (If applicable, though not always mandatory for this license).
• Nature of Business: A brief description of the trade or services offered.
• Additional Legal Requirements: Any other specific certificates required by law for your particular business type (e.g., from SEBI/IRDA/RBI for financial services, if applicable).
• Duly filled Application Form I: (If applying offline or needing a reference for online).

Note: It's always advisable to cross-check the latest document requirements on the official ServicePlus Bihar portal or the Labour Resources Department website before applying, as they can be updated.

Registration Fees (Approximate, subject to change)

The registration fee for the Shop & Establishment License in Bihar depends on the number of employees. These fees are generally nominal:

Number of Employees	Approximate Fee (₹)
Upto 2	₹ 5
3 to 5	₹ 10
6 to 10	₹ 100
11 to 20	₹ 200
21 to 50	₹ 500
51 to 100	₹ 1,000
101 and above	₹ 2,000

Late fees may apply if the application is submitted after 30 days of commencement of business.

Validity and Renewal

The Shop & Establishment Registration Certificate in Bihar is typically valid for a specified period (e.g., one year) and must be **renewed annually** before its expiry date. The renewal process usually involves a simpler application and payment of the prescribed renewal fee. Ensure timely renewal to avoid penalties.

Offline Application Process

While online application is encouraged, you can still apply offline by visiting the concerned Labour Department office or designated facilitation centers in your district. You will need to:

1. Obtain the application form (Form I).
2. Fill it out completely and accurately.
3. Attach all the required documents (self-attested photocopies).
4. Pay the registration fee at the counter.
5. Submit the application and collect an acknowledgment receipt.

The physical certificate will be issued after verification.

Important Contact Information

• Labour Resources Department, Government of Bihar:
  • Official Website: https://state.bihar.gov.in/labour/
  • Secretary, Labour: 0612-2533855, seclab-bih@nic.in
  • Labour Commissioner: 0612-2535559, lcbihar@bihar.gov.in
  • Toll-Free Number (Labour Resources Department): 1800-296-5656 (verify on their site for latest updates)
• ServicePlus Bihar Support: Look for contact details or FAQs on the ServicePlus portal for technical assistance.
• District Labour Offices: For specific local queries, you can contact the Labour Superintendent or Assistant Labour Commissioner at your district's Labour Office.