In protest against the ongoing sealing drive in Delhi, traders on Monday announced to hit the streets with families, children and employees on March 28, demanding the Delhi and Central Governments to protect trade and traders. Praveen Khandelwal, General Secretary of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), alleged that all three MCDs are involved in a conversion charge scam and demanded the Central Government to institute an enquiry as to what happened of thousands of crores of rupees collected from traders as conversion charges.
“It is noteworthy to mention that such amount was supposed to be kept in an ‘Escrow Account’ and should have been spent on development of parking and infrastructure in the markets but not even a single rupee has been spent on these activities and funds have been diverted for other purposes,” he said.
He also said that it is a clear breach of trust and misappropriation of funds and an inquiry is demanded and stern action should be taken against erring officials.
In a meeting of CAIT official on Monday, it was also decided that traders will not send their children to schools or colleges on March 28 as a mark of protest. The ‘All Delhi Traders, Vyapari and Workers Association’ have also announced support to the bandh.
He further said that the transport and logistics sector has also extended its support to bandh as all the operation will also remain closed in transport companies.
Traders have already announced to hold a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on March 28 in which more than seven lakh business establishments and 3,000 commercial markets of Delhi are expected to participate. “All the shops shall remain completely closed on March 28 protesting against arbitrary sealing in Delhi,” a CAIT official said.
Khandelwal informed that the wholesale and retail markets will observe bandh. “Some of the prominent commercial markets including Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar, South Extension, Rajouri Garden, Kamla Nagar, Vikas Marg, Greater Kailash, Chawri Bazar, Ashok Vihar, Rohini, Kirti Nagar, lajpat Nagar, Amar Colony, Kalkaji, Janakpuri, laxmi Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Mandoli, loni Road, Paharganj, Green Park, Kashmiri Gate etc. will remain closed.
Vinod Patel and Praveen Goel, conveners of the rally said that preparations are in full swings. “A separate arrangement has been made for children and women to avoid any inconvenience. Approximately 300 volunteers will be deployed keeping security and other concerns in mind. A number of CCTV cameras have also been placed. Besides, adequate arrangements of drinking water facilitated and several lED screens have also been installed,” they said.
Khandelwal said that the ‘Supreme Court Appointed Monitoring Committee’ has adopted an arbitrary mood in the matter of sealing and overreaching its powers. “The trades have been denied the benefit of fundamental provisions of MCD Act,1957. Neither any show cause notice nor opportunity of placing defence is being given to traders,” he said.
Khandelwal further said that the MCD officials are working like puppets and defying their own MCD Act. “There is a state of confusion and terror due to sealing. The trade and economy are being badly affected as in the last three months businesses in Delhi have registered a decline by 40 per cent and if situation continues, the traders will be left with no other alternative but to shift their business to neighbouring cities which will cause huge revenue loss to the Delhi Government,” he added.
The trade body also demanded the Government to bring a moratorium on sealing for at least one year in the wake of panic and great hustle -bustle of sealing and for that purpose a Bill in the current session of Parliament or an Ordinance should be brought immediately. “On the other hand, the Delhi Chief Minister should bring a Bill to stop sealing in the Assembly and forward it to the Centre for approval and also notify 351 roads pending for a long time. The shops which have been sealed should be de-sealed immediately,” Khandelwal said.