7 lakh traders observe total bandh… wives & kids join huge protests
NEW DELHI: It was a total shutdown of Delhi markets on Wednesday as more than 7 lakh traders under the aegis of 3,000 trade associations kept their shutters down to protest against the unprecedented sealing drive carried out by the municipal corporations over the past three months. The associations claimed that owing to the protest, there was business loss worth Rs 1,800 crore thereby causing revenue loss to the tune of Rs 250 crore to government agencies.
The agitating traders also joined a mega rally at the Ramlila ground which was attended by their families, children and employees. “Thousands of traders attended the rally with families and children, chanting slogans against the sealing drive and expressing displeasure about the arbitrary working of the ‘Supreme Court Appointed Monitoring Committee,” said office bearers of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).
The traders alleged that the monitoring committee is working like an extra administrative authority and concerned about sealing the shops irrespective of the fact whether it is legal or illegal. “According to rough estimates, trade in the Capital has declined by about 40 percent due to the continuous sealing in the last three months but the agencies are unwilling to to address the issue so far. The Monitoring Committee, which has been recommending closure of shops/ outlets and other establishments, was constituted to look into misuse of commercial activities in residential areas only but went beyond its jurisdiction and sealed several shops across commercial markets,” they claimed.
Since early mornng, major markets like Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kamla Nagar, karol Bagh, kashmiri Gate, Khari Baoil, Naya Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Lajpat Rai Market, Paharganj, Rajouri Garden, Jail Road, Tilak Nagar, Uttam Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Naraina, Rohini, Ashok Vihar, Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Model Town, Amar Colony, Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Defence Colony, Greater Kailash, green Park, Khan Market, Kirti Nagar, Vikaspuri, Kalkaji, Tughlaqabad, Yusuf Sarai, Vikas Marg, Mandawali, Gandhi Nagar, Shahdara, Bhajanpura, Jagatpuri, Mayur Vihar, Preet Vihar, Shradhanand Marg and other markets wore a deserted look.
CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that the basic fundamentals of the 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. “According to Section 347 of the MCD act, before taking any action against business establishments for misuse of any property, the Commissioner need to lodge a complaint with the municipal magistrate in a time-bound period, followed by a show cause notice and opportunity for personal hearing and right to make an appeal to the appellate tribunal and then administrator who is the is L-G,” said Khandelwal.
In a unanimous resolution passed by the associations, it was demanded that the Government must mandatorily follow the due process of law before taking any action of sealing. The Central Government should bring a Moratorium Bill on sealing in the current session of Parliament whereas on the other hand the Delhi Chief Minister should pass a Bill to stop the sealing in the current session of the Assembly and forward this to the Centre for approval.
The shops which have been sealed should be de-sealed and the process of desealing should be fast and easy. The Central Government should bring an Amnesty Scheme notifying December 31, 2017 as the cut-off date and status quo should be maintained.