Minister Vikramaditya Announces Provisions in New Street Vendor Policy.

Vishal Rana, Hamirpur

In a significant move, all hotels, roadside eateries, and street vendors across the state will now be required to display a nameplate with their photograph, license, and ID card. Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh announced that similar to the Uttar Pradesh model, licenses bearing the vendor’s photograph will be issued, and displaying them outside the establishment will be compulsory.

Sharing details on his social media page, Minister Vikramaditya Singh emphasized that all hotel, dhaba (roadside eateries), and fast-food owners will need to present their identity prominently. These licenses will feature the owner’s photograph, registration number, and complete identification details, ensuring transparency and accountability.

The licenses will be issued through a Street Vending Committee, established following the Sanjauli Mosque dispute, where Minister Vikramaditya Singh is a member. He confirmed that the Urban Development Department has already been instructed to implement this process. Special emphasis will be placed on maintaining hygiene standards, especially for food vendors, to ensure public health safety.

When asked about the legality, Minister Singh clarified that no laws currently restrict these licenses to Himachali residents only, as such a regulation could face legal challenges. The upcoming policy aims to create opportunities for marginalized groups, such as the poor and widows, to operate street vending businesses, ensuring inclusivity and empowerment in the new framework.