Himachal Pradesh Government Clarifies Stance on Food Stall ID Policy

The Himachal Pradesh government has clarified its position following remarks by the Public Works Department and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh concerning the requirement for food stall owners to display identity cards. This development follows Singh’s assertion that such an order had been issued, leading to confusion and criticism.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu‘s administration has distanced itself from Singh’s statement. A government spokesperson stated, “So far, the state government has not made any decision regarding the requirement of identity cards or any other form of identification by the vendors at their stalls.” The spokesperson affirmed that the government would take into account various suggestions concerning street vendors before reaching a decision.

To address the issue comprehensively, a committee has been established under the leadership of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan. This committee includes both Congress and other legislators, such as Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and MLAs Anil Sharma, Satpal Satti, Randhir Sharma, and Harish Janartha.

The spokesperson emphasized that the committee would evaluate suggestions from various stakeholders with careful consideration. “Every aspect of the matter is being considered with sensitivity,” the spokesperson noted. The committee is expected to present its recommendations to the state government after a thorough review.

In a conversation from New Delhi, Vikramaditya Singh clarified his previous comments, stating that they were made in his capacity as the Urban Development Minister rather than as a member of the street vendors’ policy committee. “The committee is yet to form a policy. But whatever I said pertaining to the display of IDs of owners at eateries and food stalls is based on certain guidelines issued by the apex court and some high courts,” he explained.

Singh’s comments came after a directive for displaying names and addresses at food outlets across the state. This order has been criticized within political circles, including opposition within the Congress party itself. Sources revealed that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed dissatisfaction with Singh’s remarks, and the minister was advised to refrain from making such controversial statements.

The directive from Singh’s ministry faced opposition from Congress leader TS Singh Deo, who characterized it as discriminatory. “I don’t understand why it should be done. You are not selling the individual; you are selling the brand,” he told India Today. Similarly, AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam accused the Congress of aligning with Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) stance on this issue, recalling BJP leader Yogi Adityanath‘s similar directive in Uttar Pradesh.