Congress Leadership Summons Vikramaditya Singh Over Himachal's UP-Like Name Display Order For Eateries: Report

The 'Yogi-like' decision of Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh did not go down well with the Congress high command as he was summoned to Delhi, India Today reported.

The Congress leadership reprimanded Singh over a directive from his department, which required food outlets across the state to display the names and addresses of their owners.

This move sparked backlash on social media and within the party, as Congress had previously criticised a similar policy introduced by the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government during the Kanwar Yatra a few weeks earlier.

Sources informed India Today that Singh, who oversees the PWD and Urban Development ministries, was instructed to refrain from making any further controversial statements on the issue.

Reports suggest that Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his displeasure with Singh’s actions, while another Congress leader T S Singh Deo called it a "reprehensible, irrational and discriminatory" measure.

The former Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister said, "Just because UP implemented this during the Kanwar Yatra, why should we follow suit? There’s no need to name individual shop owners."

The decision was announced by Singh emphasising transparency and convenience for customers. The order was passed in a meeting of the Urban Development and Municipal Corporation.

The order came a day after the Uttar Pradesh government made it mandatory for food outlets across the state to display the name and address of operators, proprietors and managers.

The Yogi government has also directed the installation of CCTVs in hotels and restaurants. Further, the eateries have been directed to ensure that the chefs and waiters wear masks and gloves.