Sealing drive: Delhi CM visits markets, blames BJP-ruled civic bodies

In a bid to address the anxious traders affected by the ongoing sealing drive, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal along with Urban Development Minister Satyendar Jain visited the major markets, including Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Defence Colony and Meherchand market on Tuesday.

Kejriwal criticised the BJP-ruled municipal corporations as well as the Centre for allowing traders to suffer after demonetization, GST.

"We have sent at least eight reminders to the MCDs to give us the survey reports of 351 roads based on which we can go ahead with notifying them, but to no avail. As soon as we get the reports, we will go to the SC to take its permission for notifying these roads," the CM said.

Also, the CM alleged that the Lieutenant Governor has been delaying the discussion on the matter even as he can amend the Delhi Master Plan -2021 to stop the drive.

Kejriwal added that he had written to the L-G seeking four amendments in the Master Plan. "If the Centre or the L-G makes amendments, sealing will be stopped within 24 hours. I will also raise this issue in a meeting with the L-G," he said.

He also demanded that the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) for local shopping complexes be increased from 180 to 300. "Commercial premises have been sealed for failing to deposit conversion charges. The civic bodies failed to utilise Rs 3,000 crore collected as conversion charges. There should be no conversion charges now," the CM stated.

At Sadar Bazar market, some people showed black flags to the CM and raised anti-AAP slogans.

Meanwhile, the Congress too rebuked the AAP and the BJP and asked them to stop the blame game. Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken took to Twitter to criticise the parties, saying, "Both the parties have failed miserably to provide relief to the traders affected by the sealing drive."

The three municipal corporations --- North, South and East --- have sealed over 1,000 commercial establishments over the "misuse" of premises and "unauthourised constructions" so far.

Continuing the sealing drive on Tuesday, the South Corporation sealed 14 units while the North MCD sealed eight units and the East civic body shut down seven units.

Kejriwal talks

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the L-G has been delaying a discussion on the sealing drive in the Capital
He added he had written to the L-G seeking four amendments in the Master Plan