Himachal Pradesh has decided to follow Uttar Pradesh’s example by mandating restaurants and eateries to display the names of their owners and staff. This new regulation, expected to be finalized in an upcoming meeting, will come into effect in January, beginning with Shimla. The interim period will be used for preparations, including issuing identity cards.
Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh emphasized the rule’s purpose is to ensure the availability of hygienic food, saying, “We have decided to strictly enforce the rules in the state, much like Uttar Pradesh.” He added that the decision was made after considering public concerns about the safety of food at stalls, in a joint meeting between the Urban Development Ministry and the Municipal Corporation.
Earlier this year, Uttar Pradesh’s government implemented a similar mandate, which sparked political controversy. It required food centres along Kanwar Yatra routes to display the names of their owners, managers, and proprietors. The order aimed to promote transparency and help kanwariyas make informed choices about the food they consume during their pilgrimage.
Despite the initial backlash, the order was reinforced following alarming reports of human waste being mixed with food in some eateries. A widely circulated video from Saharanpur district showed a teenager spitting on rotis while cooking. More recently, a juice vendor in Ghaziabad was arrested for allegedly mixing urine in fruit juices. Similar incidents were reported in Noida, where two men were accused of spitting in juice before serving it to customers.
In response, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath mandated that the names and addresses of food centre operators, proprietors, and managers be prominently displayed. Additionally, chefs and waiters must wear masks and gloves, and the installation of CCTV cameras in hotels and restaurants is now compulsory.