Shimla, Sept 26,
The Himachal Pradesh government is set to carefully assess a range of suggestions related to the street vendor policy, including the potential requirement for vendors to display nameplates at their stalls.
A spokesperson clarified today that no decision has yet been made on making nameplates mandatory, stating that the government is committed to addressing the concerns of street vendors across the state.
This clarification comes in the wake of growing backlash triggered by controversial comments made by Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh on social media, where he suggested that food and fruit vendors should display their name and license at their stalls.
His remarks have drawn comparison to a recent directive in Uttar Pradesh during the ‘Kavad Yatra’, where food vendors were required to display their names. The Supreme Court intervened to stay the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision, raising concerns of communal targeting. Now, the Sukhu government finds itself in a similar controversy.
The government has faced accusations of attempting to undermine the social fabric by introducing policies that could be perceived as discriminatory.
A committee chaired by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, with members from both Congress and BJP, has been formed to review the street vendor policy.
The committee includes prominent figures such as Rural Development Minister Anirudh Singh and MLAs Anil Sharma and Satpal Satti. They will review suggestions from various stakeholders before submitting their recommendations to the Cabinet.
Concerns have also been raised on social media about the hygiene standards at some food and fruit stalls, with videos surfacing that accuse vendors of compromising public health.
However, these videos have also been criticized for perpetuating false narratives that unfairly target minority vendors, stirring communal tensions.
The government has condemned these attempts to divide society and vowed to address the matter with caution.
The state is now at a critical juncture, as it attempts to balance public health and safety concerns with the protection of the livelihoods of street vendors, while ensuring communal harmony is preserved.
Empower Independent Journalism – Join Us Today!
Dear Reader,
We’re committed to unbiased, in-depth journalism that uncovers truth and gives voice to the unheard. To sustain our mission, we need your help. Your contribution, no matter the size, fuels our research, reporting, and impact.
Stand with us in preserving independent journalism’s integrity and transparency. Support free press, diverse perspectives, and informed democracy.
Click [here] to join and be part of this vital endeavour.
Thank you for valuing independent journalism.
Warmly,
Vishal Sarin, Editor
