AMN / New Delhi
Traders across the national capital on Tuesday observed a ‘Delhi Trade Bandh’ to lodge their protest against the ongoing sealing of business establishments in the City.
Commercial establishments in various parts of the city remained closed following the Bandh called by the CAIT in protest against the on-going sealing drive carried out by the civic bodies.
All wholesale markets including bullion, metals, oils and oilseeds, kirana, sugar, dry fruits remained closed here today as traders observed a ‘Delhi trade bandh’.
CAIT Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal demanded immediate intervention of the Government in the matter of sealing as the basic fundamentals of MCD Act,1957 have been snatched away from the traders and sealing is being conducted in a dictatorial manner under the guise of Supreme Court order. Before taking any action for misuse of any property, the MCD Act requires Commissioner to lodge a complaint with the Municipal Magistrate in a time bound period, a show cause notice & opportunity of personal hearing and right to make an Appeal to Appellate Tribunal and then Administrator i.e. the LG of Delhi have been deprived for the traders. Though Monitoring Committee is constituted to look into misuse of commercial activities in residential areas only but it is exceeding its jurisdiction in any part of Delhi irrespective of whether the said area is residential or not.
The traders are demanding the Government to protect traders from sealing by bringing an Ordinance, an Amnesty Scheme on building and commercial activities on “As is Where Is basis” as on 31st December,2017, notifying 351 Roads as commercial or mix land use and increase in FAR to protect additional construction. The Local Shopping Centres were given on commercial rates and now conversion charge is being demanded and sealing is conducted without giving any notice, which can’t be held justified. The entire sealing proceedings are being run in a dictatorial manner keeping aside the MCD Act,1957.
Kejriwal urges Centre to bring Ordinance
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday urges Centre to bring Ordinance, if required to protect traders from sealing.
Taking to his micro-blogging site Twitter, Mr Kejriwal said, “I urge Centre 2 bring Ordinance, if reqd, 2 protect Delhi’s traders from sealing. Del govt offers all cooperation to Centre, whatever is needed. Economic situation already grim. Sealing has hit traders v hard. It is our duty to protect them. Else no of people wud become jobless.”
Commercial establishments in various parts of the city on Tuesday remained closed following a bandh called by the Confederation of All India traders (CAIT) in protest against the on-going sealing drive carried out by the civic bodies.
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