Traders protest near PM’S house over sealing drive
NEWDELHI: City traders protested near Prime Minister’s residence in Delhi on Sunday against the ongoing sealing drive.
The traders were carrying begging bowls and wanted to meet the Prime Minister on the issue. The police detained them and took them the Parliament Street police station where they handed over a memorandum to a PMO official.
“We met all the seven Members of Parliament from Delhi, officials concerned and monitoring committee members but failed to get any relief. Finally, we decided to approach the PM and request him to issue necessary directives. However, as soon as we gathered at the Lok Kalyan Marg Metro station, police took us to the police station at Parliament Street,” said Brijesh Goel, convener, Chamber of Trade Industries.
“An official from the Prime Minister’s Office visited us at the police station and received the 13-point agenda suggested by us before amendment in Delhi Master Plan 2021,” he said.
The agenda included withdrawing the penalty fees and interest on payment of pending conversion charges, and giving
THE PROTESTERS WERE DETAINED AND TAKEN TO PARLIAMENT STREET POLICE STATION
relief to walled city area from payment of any charges.
As per traders, the rates of conversion charges should be reasonable and utilised for developing infrastructure in these markets.
“Increasing Floor Area Ration (FAR) to 400, notification of 351 roads, allowing commercial use of basements in all markets and formation of a committee to take decision of sealing issue were the other suggestion mentioned in agenda.
“The committee should have officials from Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporations, Delhi Government, Lieutenant Governor house, ministry of housing and urban affairs and shopkeepers to take decision on sealing,” said Vimal Khanna, a trader from Kamla Nagar.
“We are hoping to hear some positive response from PMO office,” said Goel.