Following the directives from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand regarding ‘nameplates’ along the Kanwar Yatra route, the Ujjain Municipal Corporation, under BJP leadership, has issued a new mandate requiring shop owners to prominently display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments.
Mayor Mukesh Tatwal of Ujjain announced that violators of this order will face fines of Rs 2,000 for the first offense and Rs 5,000 for subsequent violations. He emphasized that this measure aims to ensure safety and transparency rather than targeting any specific community, addressing concerns about its impact on Muslim shopkeepers.
Ujjain, renowned for the Mahakal temple and attracting devotees globally, particularly during the Savaan month starting soon, holds significance as the hometown of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
Tatwal clarified that the Municipal Council had approved the proposal back in 2002, subsequently undergoing necessary formalities and government approvals. Originally requiring uniform nameplate specifications, the current relaxed guidelines mandate displaying names and mobile numbers to suffice under the MP Shop Establishment Act or Gumasta License, aimed at bolstering customer safety and service accountability.
“With Ujjain being a religious hub, visitors should have access to information about the shopkeepers they engage with,” Tatwal remarked, citing the upcoming Simhastha (Kumbh) Mela in 2028, a major religious event.
Recently expanded across Uttar Pradesh and maintained in Uttarakhand, the directive has sparked criticism from opposition parties and dissent within the ruling coalition, citing concerns of discriminatory impact on Muslim traders.