Shutters down in various markets, traders hold protest marches

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 13

Shutters were down in major markets of the city by the traders responding to a band call given by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and other trader associations in protest against the sealing drive launched by the civic bodies under the guidance of monitoring committee of the Supreme Court (SC).

Over seven lakh shops in 2,500 markets across the city were shut. Traders also took out protest marches in various markets, including Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh and Kashmere Gate.

Demonstrations were held at around 100 places across the city, the CAIT said in a statement.

A spokesperson for the CAIT said on March 28, a traders rally would be held at Ramlila Ground against the sealing drive which is in “utter violation” of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi Act, 1957.

The business losses due to bandh were estimated at Rs 1,800 crore, with the revenue loss to the government pegged at about Rs 150 crore, the CAIT said.

Calling an all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal a “political stunt”, the protesting traders adopted a resolution demanding that his government pass a bill in the assembly to stop the sealing drive.

They also appealed to the Central Government to bring a law for a moratorium on the ongoing sealing drive.

The sealing drive is being carried out by a SC-appointed Monitoring Committee against business establishments using residential properties for commercial purposes. The drive is being implemented by the three BJP-led Municipal Corporations in Delhi.

The committee was set up by the SC in 2006. In 2012, the apex court asked the committee to halt the drive. But in December 2017, it ordered resumption of the drive.