The Andhra Pradesh cabinet has approved an amendment to the Factories Act, 1948, that will allow women to work night shifts in factories with adequate safety and transport facilities. A meeting of the state cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, approved amendments to several key sections of the Factories Act.
“Accordingly, the AP Factories Amendment Bill, 2025 will be passed in the assembly to reduce procedural burdens on industries. Women will be allowed to work night shifts with adequate safety and transport facilities,” the state information and public relations minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said.
According to the bill, women employees would be allowed to work in night shifts between 7pm and 6am. This would be applicable only after obtaining prior written consent of the employees, as well as providing them pick-up and drop off facilities and other security measures, he said.
The minister further said that the cabinet felt that there would be increased investments in the industrial sector only if labour laws were relaxed. “At present, women employees working in factories are entitled to do overtime work only for 50-75 hours every three months. Now, the cabinet has decided to amend the Factories Act, relaxing conditions to enable women employees to do 144 hours of overtime work,” said Parthasarathy.
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The cabinet further approved a proposal by the information technology, electronics and communications department for establishment of Andhra Pradesh State Quantum Mission (SQM), under which Quantum Valley will be established in Amaravati for undertaking research in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity by working with institutions like IIT Madras, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and IBM.
“It will help attract world-class researchers and bring international investments to the state,” he said.
A total of 50 acres of land have been allocated for the development of Quantum Valley in Amaravati through Andhra Pradesh capital region development authority (APCRDA) and a detailed project report has been submitted, said the minister. “IBM will deploy their “156-qubit Quantum System 2” in the state, while TCS will partner in software development and L&T will participate in the development of Quantum Valley Tech Park,” he said. A Quantum Summit will be organized in June 2025 to develop strategic action plans with international experts.
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