Manipur Cabinet approves draft Unified Trade, Shops and Establishments Licensing Bill 2026 to simplify licences, reduce duplication and ease business compliance.
Imphal, September 1: The Manipur State Cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft Manipur Unified (Trade, Shops & Establishment) Licensing Bill, 2026, paving the way for its introduction in the upcoming session of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Babupara.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a single unified licensing system for trade, shops and establishments across Manipur, replacing the existing system involving multiple and overlapping licences.
According to the decisions taken by the Cabinet, the proposed framework is intended to simplify licensing procedures and reduce the regulatory burden on businesses operating in the state.
One of the key provisions of the proposed Bill is the establishment of a Unified Trade, Shops and Establishments Licensing System for the entire state.
Chaired a Cabinet meeting at the Cabinet Hall of my Secretariat today. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Nemcha Kipgen, Home Minister Shri Govindas Konthoujam, Art & Culture Minister Shri Khuraijam Loken Singh, other Cabinet colleagues, newly appointed Chief… pic.twitter.com/CtH8jUoTS4
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) September 1, 2026
The Cabinet stated that the system would eliminate dual and overlapping licences through a unified framework. The proposed law would also have an overriding effect over inconsistent state laws relating to trade licensing.
The move is aimed at reducing situations where businesses may be required to obtain separate licences for similar or overlapping regulatory requirements.
The proposed system also seeks to promote ease of doing business by reducing regulatory requirements, minimising physical interaction with government offices and eliminating repetitive documentation.
The Bill further provides for grievance redressal mechanisms and safeguards against arbitrary or unauthorised regulatory action, according to the Cabinet decisions.
If introduced and subsequently passed by the Assembly, the legislation would provide a common licensing framework for trade, shops and establishments across Manipur.
The Cabinet also approved a proposal to amend the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2021.
The proposed amendment is intended to liberalise the regulatory framework governing shops and commercial establishments.
According to the Cabinet, the amendment will address dual licensing requirements for a single nature of compliance and ensure that businesses are not required to obtain multiple licences for similar regulatory purposes.
The government has described the proposed changes as measures aimed at simplifying compliance for businesses and reducing duplication in the licensing process.
The two decisions are part of the state government's effort to streamline the regulatory framework governing commercial activities in Manipur. The draft Bill will now be taken up for introduction in the upcoming Assembly session.
Key Cabinet decisions
Draft Manipur Unified (Trade, Shops & Establishment) Licensing Bill, 2026 approved for introduction in the upcoming Assembly session.
A single unified licensing system proposed for trade, shops and establishments across Manipur.
Dual and overlapping licences to be eliminated through a unified framework.
Regulatory burden and repetitive documentation to be reduced.
Physical interface between businesses and regulatory authorities to be minimised.
Grievance redressal and safeguards against arbitrary regulatory action proposed.
Amendment to the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2021 approved.
Amendment aimed at eliminating multiple licences for similar compliance requirements.
