Over one lakh traders are planning a protest on 28th March against the sealing drive in Delhi. The sealing drive is being pushed for by the BJP’s MCDs. The drive began last December.
It was organised on the orders of the committee appointed by the Supreme Court. The drive is being initiated to seal those premises that failed to pay the ‘conversion charges’ according to the Delhi Master Plan 2021. The traders were supported by AAP, BJP, and Congress who had met the members of the committee on March 21st hoping to get immediate relief for the traders.
Around seven lakh businesses and 3,000 commercial markets will be shut on the day of the protest. The call for the strike was called by the Chamber of Trade Industries, the Confederation of All India Traders and Trade Group, and the Federation of Trade Association. 20 Industrial areas and 20,000 transporters have extended their support to the protest. Markets that will remain closed include, Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazaar, Connaught Place, Chowri Bazaar, Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Market, Greater Kailash and South Extension among others.
#Sealing of shops is a havoc & inhuman depriving people from livelihood. Delhi Trade Bandh tomorrow against #sealingdrive & Mega Rally at Ramlila Ground by @TEAMCAIT @HardeepSPuri @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/Bm8vKtygXm
— Praveen Khandelwal (@praveendel) March 27, 2018
Over 40,000 shops have been sealed due to the drive, and no alternative or solution has been provided for those who lost their livelihoods and their place of employment. Th traders as part of the protest are not sending their children to schools and colleges as well. The Supreme Court hasn’t heard the case yet and is slated to do so in the first week of April. The traders are demanding a Bill to stop the drive and are also seeking protection from the drive. The Master Plan was drafted to lay down the development requirements and the infrastructural strategy with regard to Delhi.