Ujjain Replicates Uttar Pradesh Kanwar Yatra Route Order, Mayor Asks Shops To Display Name And Contact Ahead Of Sawan

Ujjain Municipal Corporation has asked the businesses to display their names and mobile numbers outside their establishments. This comes after a similar order regarding the Kanwar Yatra route in Uttar Pradesh.

The order passed by Ujjain Mayor Mukesh Tatwal mentions that those found violating the order will have to pay a Rs 2,000 fine and a second time violation will cost them a Rs 5,000 fine.

While in the UP order, allegations were made that the order intended to boycott Muslims economically, Tatwal has asserted that the order is merely to ensure transparency, instead of targeting a particular community.

He added that since Ujjain is a religious and holy city, where people come with religious aastha (devotion), 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," Tatwal said adding that all formalities have been already completed.

He highlighted that this proposal was approved by the Mayor-in-Council of Ujjain on September 26, 2002, followed by the Corporation House, and subsequently sent to the state government for objections and formalities.

"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," he added.

Ujjain is known for the Mahakaleshwar temple (one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiv). As the month of Sawan begins tomorrow (22 July), devotees are expected to arrive in the city in large numbers.