The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has issued an order mandating restaurant and food stall owners across the state to display their names and identification cards, a day after UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered similar regulations for food establishments, requiring them to display the names and addresses of their proprietors, operators, and managers.
Himachal government claimed that the directive, introduced on Wednesday, aims to enhance transparency and hygiene in food service, with a particular focus on street vendors selling edible items. The government stated that the measure was designed for customer convenience and to address concerns raised by the public regarding food hygiene and safety.
The decision follows heightened communal tensions in the state, particularly in Shimla, where a conflict between two shopkeepers from different religious communities escalated into larger unrest.
The tension centred around the Sanjauli mosque, which has been the subject of controversy, with Hindutva groups like the BJP and the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) alleging that the mosque was built illegally. The unrest prompted demands for the mandatory registration of migrant workers and the demolition of parts of the mosque.
In response to these developments, the Himachal Pradesh government formed a seven-member committee, including both Congress and BJP members, to draft a street vending policy. The recent directive to display identity cards is part of this broader policy discussion, with the aim of addressing the concerns linked to the absence of a robust regulatory framework for street vendors.
While the state government insists that the decision was taken independently and not influenced by other states, opposition leaders have criticised the announcement, suggesting it was made prematurely. Nonetheless, the display of identification is now compulsory for vendors of all communities, with the government emphasising the need for inclusive and fair regulations.