Traders’ body threatens ‘thousands of demonstrations’ against sealing
NEW DELHI: An umbrella body of traders in Delhi will come out with a white paper on Friday to highlight the alleged failures of civic authorities in the past as part of their ongoing protest against the sealing of illegal commercial establishments in the national Capital.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said they will also launch a ‘hallabol’ campaign against the sealing drive from next week.
The campaign will see thousands of demonstrations across the city, everyday, by traders to highlight the injustice done to them, said Parveen Khandelwal, secretary general, CAIT.
The traders’ body, which claims to have 2,500 market associations as its members, has organised an ‘All party Traders Parliament’ on Tuesday.
The meeting was attended by BJP Delhi president Manoj Tiwari and Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken.
“The administrative machinery in Delhi has played havoc with their irresponsible and lethargic attitude ever since the first master plan came into force in 1962. None of the agencies could fulfill the responsibilities as prescribed in the master plan for which city shopkeepers had to pay the price,” said Khandelwal.
“Their shops are sealed while not even a single official has been punished so far. Why?. In the wake of recent observations of Supreme Court, we have decided to organise series of demonstrations,” he said.
RELIEF EXPECTED
Manoj Tiwari said BJP members will meet offcials of Land and Development Office on Thursday to discuss relief measures for traders in Amar Colony where several shops were sealed.
“We are in touch will all departments concerned to resolve the issue. I visited the double-storey market at Amar Colony after sealing and discussed various provisions in the Delhi Master Plan 2021, which will help traders to get relief from sealing. These points will be discussed again with L&DO officials on Thursday,” he said.
“Consultations are underway to provide relief through Union government by month-end,” he said.
MASTER PLAN IS ENOUGH
Ajay Maken said the provisions in the current marter plan are sufficient for all round development of the city and it is to the advantage of the traders.
“For example, in case of Amar Colony, through supplementary lease deed the traders can use 17.5 feet space in their backyard. As per Master Plan 1962, the height of the premises become unlimited if the ground coverage is 40%. In August 2012, we amended the master plan, according to which enhancement of floor area ratio is allowed in local shopping complex subject to the availability of parking space,” he said.