Markets shut, traders take out protest march

New Delhi: Hundreds of shops across Delhi were shut on Friday as part of a two-day bandh called by an industry body against the  ongoing sealing drive by civic bodies in the city.

Traders took out a protest march in a number of markets, demanding that the sealing exercise be stopped immediately.

The bandh, called by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an umbrella body of trade groups, affected markets in Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar, Kashmiri Gate, Bhagirath Place, Defence Colony, Green Park, among other areas.

According to CAIT, all wholesale and commercial markets in Delhi were shut in protest against the sealing drive. Civic bodies in North, South and Central Delhi have taken action against more than 50 shops in the Defence Colony market on the directions of the apex court-appointed monitoring committee for failing to deposit conversion charges according to Master Plan 2021.

“Multiple authorities are working in Delhi without coordination which is hampering planned development. The Centre should set up a special task force under the lieutenant-governor to ensure timely and planned development according to the Master Plan,” CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said.

CAIT claimed the the two-day strike will result into a loss of crores of rupees.

“There should be no sealing or penal action in a special area until a redevelopment plan is drafted and put into action,” it said.

All three major parties in Delhi, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress and the BJP, which controls the three municipal corporations, have extended their support to the protesting traders.