Sealing drive: Commercial activities came to standstill with 'Delhi Trade Bandh'

New Delhi: The commercial activities in the national capital remained standstill on Tuesday with a day long 'Delhi Trade Bandh' call given by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) against arbitrary sealing of business establishments here.

More than seven lakh commercial establishments and above 2500 markets across Delhi participated in Delhi Trade Bandh. At the Vyapari Panchayat held on Tuesday at Karol Bagh, the CAIT declared to hold a Mega Rally of Delhi Traders against sealing on forthcoming March 28 at Ramlila Ground.

The traders are deeply agitated because of conducting sealing in utter violation of statutory provisions of The Municipal Corporation of Delhi Act,1957.

Protesting traders took out protest march in different markets of Delhi and held demonstration at about 100 different places across Delhi demanding immediate stoppage of sealing and de-sealing of properties already sealed.

It is estimated that during the day long 'Bandh' there will be a business loss worth Rs 1800 crore thereby causing a loss of revenue to the tune of about Rs 150 crore to the Government. Beside working hours of more than 20 lakh people engaged in Delhi trade have gone waste.

Terming the all party meeting called by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday as a political stunt, the CAIT said, 'why the meeting is necessary since Delhi Government is competent enough to take steps to stop sealing on its own and does not need support of any other political party. It is better if Mr Kejriwal do whatever in his domain instead of politicising the issue.'

At the Vyapari Panchayat, thousands of traders passed a resolution demanding demanding Kejriwal to pass a Bill to stop sealing on first day of Assembly session beginning March 16 and forwarded the same to central Government for approval.

On the other hand, the Central Government should bring a Bill for Moratorium on sealing in current session of the Parliament.

They have further demanded that Delhi Government should immediately notify 351 Roads as commercial or mix land use pending with it since last many years.

All major wholesale and retail markets of Delhi including Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh, Kashmiri Gate, Khari Baoil, Naya Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Lajpat Rai Market, Paharganj, Rajouri Garden, Jail Road, Tilak Nagar, Uttam Nagar, Kirti Nagar, Naraina, Rohini, Ashok Vihar, Pitampura, Shalimar Bagh, Model Town, Lajpat Nagar, South Extension, Amar Colony, Defence Colony, Greater Kailash,Green Park, Khan Market, Kirti Nagar, Vikaspuri, Kalkaji, Tughlaqabad, Yusuf Sarai, Vikas Marg, Mandawali, Gandhi Nagar, Shahdara, Bhajanpura, Jagatpuri, Mayur Vihar, Preet Vihar, Shradhanand Marg were completely closed and wore a deserted look as no commercial activity took place.