The Himachal Pradesh government is scrambling to control the fallout from Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh’s controversial announcement requiring street vendors to display their names and IDs. The minister initially framed the move as necessary for maintaining internal security and hygiene, but the directive quickly drew backlash, with fears of communal profiling and comparisons to a similar controversial policy in Uttar Pradesh.
Amid growing criticism and concerns over its potential political fallout, particularly with upcoming elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress high command stepped in. Under pressure, Singh was forced to clarify that no official decision had been made and to walk back his remarks. Sources suggest the minister was summoned to Delhi and reprimanded by senior party leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, for mishandling the situation, which now threatens to harm the party’s image.
Brief background about the contentious order: On September 25, the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government mandated all food vendors and eateries in the state to display the names and addresses of their owners, aiming to increase ‘transparency’ for customers. This decision was announced by Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania
Pathania had stated, “In Himachal, all restaurants and fast-food outlets will now be required to display the owner’s identification to ensure convenience for customers. Instructions for this were issued during yesterday’s Urban Development and Municipal Corporation meeting.”
Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh had also announced on social media that every restaurant and fast-food outlet in the state would be required to display the owner’s identification. “This will ensure that the public faces no difficulties and will also enhance accountability,” Singhhad had stated. (Details can be read here)
Himachal Pradesh government clarifies stance on vendor name display order: In response to concerns surrounding Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh’s announcement about mandatory name displays for street vendors, the state government issued a clarification on September 27. The government stated that no such decision had been officially taken. A government spokesperson confirmed that no policy requiring street vendors to display nameplates or identification on their stalls had been implemented. The government emphasised its commitment to addressing the concerns of street vendors and considering all suggestions before making any decisions.
Potential political fallout and minister’s clarification: Amid fears that Minister Singh’s remarks could escalate into a controversy and damage the party’s electoral prospects in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, Singh himself issued a clarification under pressure from the Congress high command, according to party sources. The spokesperson also noted that a committee, which includes both Congress and BJP MLAs, had already been formed to review the matter. The final decision on this policy will be based on recommendations from the committee, which is led by Industries and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan.
The committee also comprises several key figures including Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister AnirudhSingh, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, and MLAs Anil Sharma, Satpal Satti, Randhir
Initial defence of security concerns:
Before the policy was rolled back, Vikramaditya Singh had defended the order, citing the need to maintain “internal security” in the state. In a statement to ANI on September 26, 2024, Singh explained that the decision to require eateries and shops to display owner names aimed at enhancing the state’s internal security and ensuring hygienic conditions, especially regarding street food vendors. Singh emphasised that while businesses commonly display their registration details, this policy was introduced in response to growing security concerns. He also stressed that the policy had no connection to a similar order in Uttar Pradesh.
Singh cited public apprehensions about the increasing number of migrants in the state as one of the reasons for the policy. He noted that while people from outside Himachal were welcome to work there, it was crucial to maintain internal security and hygiene standards. Singh mentioned that the High Court had raised concerns about the situation, prompting the government to take measures ensuring business establishments, regardless of the owners’ origin, reveal their identity. Singh reiterated that the directive aimed to safeguard Himachal’s residents.
#WATCH | Delhi: On Himachal Pradesh Government’s order for eateries to display the names of owners being compared to a similar order in UP, state’s minister Vikramaditya Singh says, “This has nothing to do with UP or Yogi Adityanath. Himachal Pradesh is a separate state, it has… pic.twitter.com/KrdE42S4sx
— ANI (@ANI) September 26, 2024
Himachal Pradesh Congress in-charge Rajeev Shukla had also addressed concerns surrounding the controversy, stating that no mandatory name display policy had been enforced. He refuted comparisons being drawn with Uttar Pradesh’s similar mandate for identity card displays, clarifying that no such decision had been taken in Himachal. Shukla further defended the government’s efforts to regulate street vendors and issue licenses, pointing out that the issue was being unnecessarily politicised. He submitted a detailed report to the Congress high command, explaining the state’s decision-making process.
Congress to reprimand Singh: Following the backlash, Vikramaditya Singh was reportedly summoned to Delhi by the Congress leadership, where he was reprimanded for his handling of the issue. According to sources cited by India Today, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge
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