Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) ): Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly Jairam Thakur stated on Thursday that his government had started the process of creating ID cards for vendors during their tenure, adding that a lot of questions were raised at that time for this step.
"There is one thing about the statement made by Vikramaditya Singh. He spoke about something on which our government had started working. During BJP government's tenure, when we made this rule, attempts were made to raise a lot of questions at that time," Jairam Thakur said.
"We had then said that we feel this is needed because we see several people in every lane of Himachal Pradesh who have still not been identified by us (the then state govt). Anyone who comes to Himachal Pradesh from outside can be easily identified but we have no objection to that. But why would they try to hide their identity after coming to Himachal Pradesh? We had started the process; there should be registration and verification," he added in the video.
The remarks came against the backdrop of the Himachal Pradesh government's decision of making mandatory to display outlet owner's details at food outlets. Reacting to the decision, Himachal Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that the decision for eateries and their shops to display the names of owners has been taken to maintain 'internal security' of the state, adding that it is the responsibility of the state government and all of us to maintain peace in the state.
Speaking to news agency, earlier today, Vikramaditya Singh, said, "Anyway, shops normally display their registration number and so on...But this is for the internal security of the state and the apprehensions that have been raised, this needs to be seen that way. An all-party committee has also been constituted and that would look into every detail...There can be no compromise with internal security concerns of the state."
Earlier today, Himachal Pradesh AICC in charge Rajeev Shukla came out in defence of the state government's orders for eateries to display the names of owners, saying that connecting it to Uttar Pradesh is not right.
Speaking to ANI, Himachal Pradesh AICC in charge Rajeev Shukla said, "Vikramaditya (Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh) has said that this is done to make sure only authorised persons can set up shops...The Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker has made an all-party committee to regulate hawkers and to give them licenses. Connecting this to Uttar Pradesh is not right." Shukla had earlier presented a report to the Congress High Command on the decision of the Himachal Government.