After UP, now Himachal asks Shimla eateries to display names

Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday said the government would make it mandatory for all street vendors in the state capital to display their names, photographs and identification as per the ID issued by the street vending committee as had been done in Uttar Pradesh.

“It has been decided that henceforth all street vendors, especially those selling eatables, will have to display their identification. This is important, both from the point of view of the vendor’s identification and also to ensure that the food being sold is hygienic,” he said.

“This has been done in Uttar Pradesh and we, too, shall enforce it in Shimla,” he added.

He said the decision was taken at a meeting with the Urban Development department and Shimla Municipal Corporation here on Tuesday.

“A lot of eatables like momos and noodles are being sold by these food stalls, so the Food and Civil Supplies department will ensure that the food being sold is hygienic as many people had expressed apprehension in this regard,” he said.

Also, it would be mandatory for the vendor to display his ID to ensure that he has been issued a licence, he added.

Vikramaditya said the street vending committee would issue ID cards with photos and registration numbers to every vendor.

He said though the issue regarding issuance of licences only to Himachalis was discussed, but since anyone in India is free to come and work anywhere, this cannot be done.

He said priority would be given to SCs, STs, women and single women in issuing of vendor’s licences.