Traders demand extension of deadline for paying conversion charges

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) The traders in Delhi today demanded extension of the March 31 deadline for payment of conversion charges in respect of utilisation of residential property for commercial purposes in the wake of confusion prevailing on the issue and various financial liabilities for traders on account of payment of different taxes in the month of March.

In a communication sent to Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken, Delhi Lt governor Tejendra Khanna and Delhi Mayor Aarti Mehra, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) urged for extension of last date of March 31 for payment of conversion charges.

''If need arises, the concerned Authorities should not hesitate to move the Supreme Court in this regard,'' CAIT said.

In the communication, CAIT said a situation of confusion prevailed since a long time on issue of conversion charges.

While on the one hand the 2021 Master Plan, the Delhi Laws (Special Provision) Act, 2007 and other related statutory provisions were in force, on the other hand commercial buildings allotted by MCD, DDA and other Authorities, Buildings that have come up on commercial plots given by DDA etc and many areas have been declared as Commercial areas from time to time in the past by various Authorities.

''The non issuance of any clarification by any of the concerned Department has resulted into a state of confusion amongst traders of Delhi. Therefore, the last date of payment of conversion charges should be extended beyond March 31. Also the MCD should clarify as to what falls under purview of conversion charges,''CAIT said.

The CAIT has also said that in its recent order, the Supreme Court has once again exempted Special Area comprising of Walled City, Sadar Bazar, Karol Bagh, Paharganj etc. from Registration.

''In view of order of the apex Court and centuries old commercial character of Special Area, the MCD should immediately declare exemption from conversion charges,''it said.

It is noteworthy to mention that Registration is pre-condition to conversion charges and when no Registration is required, then automatically the conversion charges can not be levied. The MCD should clarify, CAIT said.

UNI AR SV RN1608