Traders on strike, demand amnesty ordinance

Traders in wholesale markets across the city observed a bandh on Tuesday against the ongoing sealing drive by the north and south civic bodies. While some shops remained shut throughout the day, few observed a partial strike and were open after 2 pm. However, all the markets wore a deserted look till the first half of the day.

"We observed a complete shutdown in solidarity with the traders who have come under the MCD's sealing drive. All the shops on Qutub road remained shut for the whole day," said Harjit Singh Chhabra, head, Sadar Nishkarm Welfare Association.

The bandh organised under the umbrella of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) against the BJP-ruled municipal corporations' recent sealing drive on the instructions of the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee, witnessed the participation of as many as several lakh traders across the Capital.

"The traders are demanding the government to protect them from sealing by bringing an ordinance, an 'Amnesty Scheme' on building and commercial activities on 'as is where is basis' as on 31 December, 2017, notifying 351 roads as commercial or mix land use and increase in FAR (floor area ratio) to protect additional construction," said Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of CAIT.

The CAIT pointed out that the day-long bandh led to an estimated business loss of Rs 1,500 crore and drain out the working hours of about 20 lakh people," he added.

Meanwhile, several shops at Sadar Bazar and Chandni Chowk were seen open after the first half of the day. "Shutting the shop for the whole day would have caused us a huge loss. We already suffered in the last one year following demonetisation and then the implementation of the GST," said Rajiv Saxena, a trader in Sadar Bazar.

All political parties, including the AAP, the Congress and the BJP extended its support to the day-long bandh. AAP MLA's also took out rallies in their respective constituencies against the sealing. "Traders are saying the Modi government can bring an Ordinance to stop sealing in Delhi. Intentionally delaying the Ordinance to collect maximum money using threats of sealing(sic)," AAP's chief spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said.

"We understand the problems of traders and support the bandh call," said Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari.

MARKETS AFFECTED

Defence Colony, Greater Kailash, Khan Market, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh, Kashmere Gate, Khari Baoil, Naya Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Paharganj, Rajouri Garden.

THE BANDH IN NUMBERS

​More than 7 lakh traders across the Capital on Tuesday observed a shutdown to protest the sealing drive in the city and demanded the government bring out an amnesty ordinance to protect traders. 

The strike is expected to cause a loss of business worth Rs 1,500 crore.

Over 500 shops have been sealed so far in areas like Defence Colony Market, Hauz Khas, Chhattarpur, Karol Bagh, Khan market, Civil lines. 

The sealing drive started in the city on December 22 with the South Delhi Municipal Corporation closing down the upper floors of Defence Colony shops and restaurants. The owners of these establishments allegedly did not pay the ‘conversion charges’, which are mandatory for commercial properties running from residential sites after changing the land use.

The traders want the state and Union government to bring suitable law or an amnesty scheme approving the constructions done till December 31, 2017, notify 351 roads under commercial or mix land use and increase in floor area ratio to protect additional construction.