Public feedback to be sought before finalising street vendors’ policy

Shimla: The seven-member committee headed by industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan for finalising the street vendors’ policy in Himachal Pradesh decided on Thursday to seek suggestions from the public as well as the street vendors besides seeking legal opinion on various issues before coming to any conclusion.The first meeting of the committee was attended by all the members including rural development and panchayati raj minister Anirudh Singh, public works and urban development minister Vikramaditya Singh, Congress MLA Harish Janartha, and BJP MLAs Anil Sharma, Satpal Satti and Randhir Sharma.The industries minister later told mediapersons that all the members gave various suggestions besides seeking clarification on numerous issues during the committee’s two-hour long first meeting on Thursday. Chauhan said since the committee members decided to ask the principal secretary of the urban development dept to invite suggestions and opinion from the public and street vendors on the policy, the next date for the meeting has been fixed for November 4.There is a need to seek legal opinion on various issues and whatever is legally possible will be done in the state’s interest, said Chauhan, adding that during the meeting, the urban development department also apprised the members about the provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, which is a central government Act, the Himachal Pradesh Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Rules, 2016, and other relevant rules.

'Will not do anything against party': Vikramaditya Singh clarifies street vendor remarks, dismisses 'UP model' claims

Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh clarified his stance on street vendors to the Congress high command, emphasizing commitment to party ideology. Singh denied following the Uttar Pradesh model and highlighted efforts to manage vending zones for security, aligning with legal directives. Congress chief Pratibha Singh supported identifying outsiders for state security, distancing from BJP's approach.

Street food vendor gets 20yrs jail for raping 12yo girl

A Dehradun fast track court sentenced a 24-year-old man, Rajendra Singh, to 20 years in jail for abducting and sexually assaulting a minor girl. Singh took the girl to Haryana after promising marriage. Convicted under multiple IPC sections and the Pocso Act, he was fined Rs 50,000. Medical evidence and witness testimonies substantiated the prosecution's case.

'Implementing Congress directive important but ... ': Himachal minister Vikramaditya cites his 'responsibility' to explain vendor nameplate diktat

Himachal Pradesh Congress minister Vikramaditya Singh, amidst a controversy over mandatory nameplates for vendors, reiterated his commitment to Congress ideology while prioritizing the state's interests. Emphasizing internal security and food safety, Singh denied being summoned by the party and justified his stance. Notably, his mother, BJP's state chief, also supported identifying 'outsiders' for security reasons.