A diktat by the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government asking eateries, restaurants and food stalls across the state to display the owner’s ID card is believed to have run into rough weather with the party top leadership, apparently due to its resemblance to a similar order passed by the Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.
The measure, announced by state minister Vikramaditya Singh citing internal security, has been denounced by some senior party leaders. Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly TS Singh Deo slammed the Himachal Pradesh government’s order mandating food outlets across the state to display the name and address of their owners.
"I don't understand why it should be done. Because the Uttar Pradesh government took a decision during Kanwar Yatra, why do we have to name an individual's shop? Don't understand the logic behind it. You are not selling the individual; you are selling the brand. There is absolutely no necessity to name a person," the former Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister told India Today.
Vikramaditya Singh, who serves as the Minister for Public Works Department and Urban Development, however said that the state government’s decision was not inspired by the Uttar Pradesh diktat that all restaurants and eateries in the state will have to prominently display the names and addresses of operators, proprietors, managers and staff.
“This has nothing to do with UP or Yogi Adityanath. Himachal Pradesh is a separate state, it has its own matters, people of the state have their own issues. It is the responsibility of the state government to maintain religious harmony and peace in the state in wake of the chain of events that have taken place in the recent past. That is why an all-party body has been constituted. It has been constituted to ensure that everyone's concerns are heard and all apprehensions of the people of the state are heard...," Singh told ANI.
According to Singh, the measure was designed to allay fears among locals regarding the increase in migrant workers in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in popular tourist areas such as Shimla.
Earlier, Singh stated that the owner’s ID card will have to be displayed in every eatery and food stall in the Congress-ruled state. However, he was reportedly summoned to the national capital and reprimanded by the top leadership of the Congress over the controversial order.
The move came after the Congress came under fire on social media as well as within the party. The Congress had criticised the earlier diktat by the Uttar Pradesh government during the Kanwar Yatra that was struck down by the Supreme Court.
Congress insiders told India Today that Singh has been asked not to give controversial remarks on this matter. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge was reportedly upset with the way Singh handled the matter, the report said.
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and MLA Randhir Sharma, who is also the spokesperson of the opposition party in Himachal Pradesh, said he is also a member of the recently constituted committee to finalise the Street Vending Policy.
“But he (Vikramaditya Singh) started making statements before we arrived at a conclusion and formed a policy. However, displaying ID cards of owners of eateries and food stalls should be a must in the state,” Sharma told The Indian Express.
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