Ujjain Mandates Shop Identification Amid Safety Concerns

The Ujjain Municipal Corporation has mandated that shop owners display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. This directive is aimed at enhancing safety and transparency. The move, similar to an order in Uttar Pradesh, has faced criticism from opposition parties but is not intended to target any specific community, according to officials.

The Ujjain Municipal Corporation in Madhya Pradesh has directed shop owners to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. This initiative aims to enhance safety and transparency in the city, known for its sacred Mahakal temple and religious significance.

Shop owners who fail to comply will face fines—Rs 2,000 for the first offence and Rs 5,000 for subsequent violations, stated Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal. He emphasized that the measure is not targeted at Muslim shop owners but rooted in the MP Shop Establishment Act, aiming to protect customers.

Approved as a proposal in 2002, the implementation was delayed due to specifications on nameplate size and color, which have now been relaxed. The directive follows a similar order in Uttar Pradesh and has been criticized by opposition parties. Ujjain is expected to host the Simhastha Mela in 2028, a major religious event held every 12 years.