Traders to observe ‘bandh’, major markets in city to remain shut today

NEW DELHI: All major wholesale and retail markets in the National Capital will remain shut on Tuesday as traders have decided to observe a ‘trade bandh’ against the ongoing sealing drive by the municipal corporations on the direction of a Supreme Courtappointed monitoring committee.

The Confederation of All India Traders, in a statement, said that more than seven lakh traders belonging to about 2, 500 traders associations would participate in the protest.

Prominent markets likely to be closed on Tuesday are Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar, Amar Colony, Khan Market, South Extension, Greater Kailash, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazaar, Kamla Nagar, Ashok Vihar, Vikas Marg, Preet Vihar, Model Town, Azadpur, Kalkaji among several others.

CAIT’s secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said it would hold a ‘vyapaari panchayat’ in Karol Bagh in which thousands of traders are expected to participate.

Khandelwal said that a moratorium bill for sealing by the Central government should be brought in the current session of Parliament. “It is expected that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will not play political game and also bring a bill to stop sealing. He should also notify 351 roads for mixed land use without any further delay,” he said.

On Monday, a delegation of CAIT met Union home minister Rajnath Singh on the issue and apprised him about the implications of action by the civic bodies against alleged violation of civic norms in the city. Singh advised us to make a representation of traders before L-G Anil Baijal and assured us to bring a permanent solution, said Khandelwal.