The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) called for Delhi traders to hold a two-day strike beginning Friday. The strike registers traders’ protests against the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD’s) move to conduct the sealing drive. The sealing drive’s objective is to close scores of illegal businesses. Traders in Delhi believe that the drive will cause many businesses to shut down hence their resolve to participate in the two-day‘ bandh.’
It is estimated that the march hosted about 8 lakh traders who closed their shops to attend the protest. Factories affected by the drive also participated in the strike. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) called for a 3-day bandh but had to contempt with CAIT’s calling on the Delhi traders. Consequently, CTI deliberated to protest and hold a ‘katora march’ in front of the MCD office.
About the March
CAIT decided that the march will be held in all Delhi markets. They planned to begin the protests from Bikanerwala crossing in Karol area at noon. It also added that at around noon, it was going to stage a ‘chakka jam, near the New Delhi Railway Station. The move might have hindered those getting to and from the station.
CAIT and CTI suggested in a meeting on Thursday that the protests will only be stopped if the government implements the Master Plan 2021 amendments announced by Hardeep Singh Puri, the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs on Wednesday.
Emerging issues on the proposed amendments are the conversion of Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 180 to 300, unifying FAR and reduction of the conversion and penalty fees charged on FAR and defaulters. The proposed amendments and solutions are to be discussed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Thursday to come up with a relief for the driving crisis. DDA panel is also expected to seek public opinion on the tabled amendments.
Supreme Court Option
Delhi Congress Chief Ajay Maken made a presentation to the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee tasked with finding a solution to the crisis. Ajay stated that the sealing drive was illegal. He raised his demand to halt the process and gave citations from the law and the Delhi Master Plan 2021.
After the monitoring committee session, he reiterated to reporters that he was hopeful no Special Areas and Village Abadi will be affected by the sealing drive. He added that if the monitoring committee does not listen to him, he will move to the Supreme Court.
