Will Himachal Pradesh Also Follow UP's Lead in Mandating Display of Shop Owner Information

In a move that mirrors recent actions in Uttar Pradesh (UP), the Himachal Pradesh government has issued a directive requiring street vendors and food establishments to display the names and addresses of their owners and staff. This initiative, announced on Wednesday, is being seen as a replication of the policies introduced by the Yogi Adityanath-led UP government.

Decision aims to ensure the availability of clean and hygienic food: Minister

Himachal Pradesh's Urban Development Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, addressed the media regarding the newly implemented order. He emphasized that the decision, modeled after UP's regulations, aims to ensure the availability of clean and hygienic food for the public. 

Minister Singh said, “The Ministry of Urban Development and the Municipal Corporation have collectively decided to enforce these rules to address the public’s concerns about food safety at street stalls. We will implement these regulations strictly, following Uttar Pradesh's example."

He further explained that food vendors are now required to display their name and identification prominently at their stalls. If there are complaints about the food quality or discrepancies in the menu, appropriate action will be taken against the vendor. 

When asked about limiting food vendor licenses exclusively to Himachal Pradesh residents, Minister Singh expressed opposition to such restrictions. However, he did mention that considerations are underway to provide certain reservations when issuing new licenses.

Priority Licenses for Local Residents

The Urban Development Minister said that local residents will be given priority when issuing licenses for street vending and food stalls. Additionally, special reservations will be allocated for people from the Dalit community and those with disabilities. 

The minister had earlier addressed this issue on social media, posting on Facebook, “To ensure the public does not face any difficulties, every restaurant and fast-food outlet will be required to display the owner's identification. These instructions were discussed and finalized during a meeting of the Urban Development Ministry and Municipal Corporation.”

Similar Measures in Uttar Pradesh

It is worth noting that the UP government under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had already issued detailed guidelines for food shops and eateries the day before Himachal’s announcement. The Uttar Pradesh government has mandated that food outlets in the state display the names and addresses of their owners, managers, and other key staff members. This comes after a series of food contamination cases in the state, including a viral video of a teenager preparing food unsafely in an eatery in Saharanpur.

With Himachal Pradesh now following Uttar Pradesh’s example, the regulation of food vendors and establishments appears to be tightening in several Indian states.  As both UP and Himachal continue to roll out these policies, the focus on hygiene and transparency is likely to increase, bringing about a significant shift in how street vendors and food businesses operate.