Restaurants and eateries in Himachal Pradesh will now have to display the names of their owners and staff, with the state's Congress government deciding to follow the example of the BJP government in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. The order has been passed and the rule will be implemented from January, sources said. The interval will be used for "preparations" including issuance of identity cards.
"We have decided to strictly enforce the rules in the state, much like Uttar Pradesh," Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh told reporters, underscoring it is meant to ensure supply of hygienic food.
"The Urban Development Ministry and the Municipal Corporation, in a meeting, collectively took this decision while taking into account people's fears and apprehensions about the availability of food at food stalls," Mr Singh said.
Earlier, in a move that generated a huge political row, the Yogi Adityanath government had mandated the display of the names of eatery shop owners, managers, and proprietors outside their food centres. Installation of CCTVs in hotels and restaurants was also made mandatory.