Himachal Pradesh's government has taken a crucial step toward improving hygiene and regulating street vendors by making it mandatory for all street vendors to display their ID cards. This new directive was announced on September 25, 2024, following concerns raised by local communities about the increasing number of vendors, especially in urban areas, and the quality of food sold on the streets. The decision aims to address hygiene concerns and ensure that only authorized vendors operate in the state.

Vikramaditya Singh, the Public Works Minister, emphasized that the move was necessary to ensure that the public has access to clean and safe food from street vendors. "We have decided to make it mandatory for the street vendors to display their ID cards issued by the Street Vendor Committee. This is in response to the apprehensions expressed by several locals about the rising number of unauthorized vendors," Singh said in a recent media interaction.

This policy is similar to the Uttar Pradesh government's directive, which mandated vendors to display the name and address of operators at all food centers. However, Singh made it clear that this policy is being implemented based on Himachal Pradesh's unique concerns and has nothing to do with the policies of other states like Uttar Pradesh. "This has nothing to do with UP or Yogi Adityanath. Himachal Pradesh is a separate state, and we have our own matters and concerns to address," he added.

The decision to regulate street vendors comes in the wake of protests over unauthorized workers, particularly after the demolition of a mosque in Sanjauli. Local communities, particularly Hindu outfits, have demanded that street vendor licenses be issued only to locals, fearing that the rising number of vendors from outside the state could impact the local economy and social harmony. This has prompted the Himachal Pradesh government to take measures ensuring that vendor licenses are issued only to verified individuals.

In response to these growing concerns, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker, Kuldeep Singh Pathania, formed a seven-member committee tasked with framing a comprehensive policy to regulate street vendors. The committee, headed by Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, includes key members such as Vikramaditya Singh, Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh, and BJP MLAs Anil Sharma and Satpal Singh Satti. This move is aimed at creating a balanced policy that addresses concerns about hygiene, security, and the legal status of vendors.

Moreover, the government has decided that street vendors selling food items will be regularly inspected by the food supplies department to ensure they meet hygiene standards. This aligns with the broader goal of ensuring public health safety, especially in urban areas where street food is consumed daily by thousands.

The policy has sparked a wider discussion about the registration of migrant workers in Himachal Pradesh. Local communities have expressed concerns that unregistered vendors, particularly those from other states, are setting up businesses without proper documentation. By making the display of ID cards mandatory, the government aims to control the influx of migrant workers and ensure that only authorized vendors are allowed to operate.

This move follows a series of directives by other state governments, including Uttar Pradesh, where vendors are required to display identification to ensure transparency and accountability. While some have drawn parallels between the policies of the two states, the Himachal Pradesh government maintains that its actions are based on local concerns and the need to maintain order in the state.

In conclusion, this new policy is part of Himachal Pradesh's broader efforts to ensure public safety, hygiene, and regulation of street vendors. By enforcing the display of ID cards, the state aims to bring more transparency and accountability to the street vending sector. This will also help in curbing the number of unauthorized vendors and ensuring that the public has access to safe and hygienic food.

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