Ahead of Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand begins verification drive of vendors, crackdown on ‘foreign infiltrators'

Days ahead of the Char Dham yatra in Uttarakhand, the administration has kicked off a verification drive for vendors, street hawkers, and slumdwellers.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday chaired a meeting with all district magistrates and senior officials, and said landlords failing to verify tenants would face legal action.
Dhami told officials that the verification of individuals living in makeshift settlements, as well as vendors and street hawkers, must be completed promptly and that strict action would be taken against those responsible for issuing ration cards, Aadhaar cards, electricity connections, Ayushman cards, and other documents to ineligible beneficiaries. District authorities were directed to assign departmental officers to conduct the verification drives.
Meanwhile, the Dehradun police have started a verification drive of over 800 'outsiders' who are tenants in the district. Action has been taken against 162 building/shop owners for not verifying tenants/domestic workers. Over 130 suspects have been 'brought to the police station for questioning', police said, adding that 44 suspects were fined Rs 14,000 under section 81 of the Police Act.
All station in-charges were instructed to launch a campaign in their respective jurisdictions to verify and apprehend suspects 'in view of maintaining security and public order'. The CM had earlier said that the drive will be to crack down on 'foreign infiltrators'.
The Chief Minister Monday said robust security arrangements must be ensured at all religious and tourist sites, with special focus on the Char Dham Yatra. District magistrates were instructed to conduct regular monitoring of security measures in their respective districts. CM Dhami also directed that immediate action be taken against individuals or groups spreading fake news through various platforms, particularly during the Char Dham Yatra and 'in other sensitive matters'.
'Accurate and verified information must be regularly disseminated through all channels by the district administration,' he said. In the wake of the yatra, it has been directed that attention be given to forest fire management, with strict action against those found responsible for causing forest fires.
A statement by the government said that instructions were given to ensure smooth traffic management and road maintenance during the Char Dham Yatra. 'Priority is to be given to local horse and mule operators for the pilgrimage. Cleanliness, beautification, and provision of basic facilities along the yatra routes must be ensured. Officials were also instructed to check rate lists along the travel routes and ensure there are no complaints of overpricing,' it said.

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