West Bengal allows women to work in bars

The West Bengal assembly has approved a new bill allowing women to work in bars. This decision was made on Wednesday during a session where the West Bengal Finance Bill, 2025, was presented. The bill amends the Bengal Excise Act of 1909. It aims to end the ban on women working in liquor shops where consumption is allowed on-site. Officials say the current rule is unfair and discriminatory. MoS Chandrima Bhattacharya emphasized that the state government does not support gender discrimination. Aside from this change, the bill includes measures to help control the supply of materials used in illegal liquor production. It also aims to provide tax relief to the tea industry, particularly for smaller tea gardens affected by the pandemic. The bill does not involve any financial cost for its implementation.