Kanwar Yatra Nameplate Row: Amid ongoing row over the order by the BJP-ruled Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh, requiring all restaurants along the Kanwar Yatra route across the state to display the names of their owners outside their shops, the Ujjain Municipal Corporation on Saturday issued a similar order, asking shop owners to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. 

Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal said that a penalty of Rs 2,000 will be imposed on violators for the first time and of Rs 5,000 if they defy the order for the second time. Tatwal claimed that the order is being applied to improve consumer safety and is rooted in the Gumasta License or the Madhya Pradesh Shop Establishment Act.

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The Ujjain Mayor emphasised that on September 26, 2002, the Ujjain Mayor-in-Council approved a proposal that asked the shopkeepers to mention their names outside their establishments. The Corporation House then approved it, and it was forwarded to the state government for formalities and objections. 

"All formalities have been already completed. The implementation was delayed as the nameplates were initially required to be of the same size and colour. Now, we have relaxed these terms. Displaying the names and mobile numbers of shopkeepers will suffice," Tatwal told news agency PTI. 

“Ujjain is a religious and holy city. People come here with religious aastha. They have the right to know about the shopkeeper whose services they are availing. If a customer is dissatisfied or cheated, knowing the shopkeeper's details allows them to seek redress," the mayor said.

Notably, Ujjain, which is also the hometown of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is known for its sacred Mahakal temple, attracting devotees from around the globe, especially during the Savaan month starting Monday. The temple town is set to host the Simhastha (Kumbh) Mela in 2028, a significant religious fair held every 12 years.