Congress MLAs demand Ordinance to protect shoppkeepers' interests

New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) A section of Congress MLAs, led by AICC secretary Parvez Hashmi and former-Speaker of Delhi Assembly Subhash Chopra, today called for bringing an Ordinance to protect the interests of shopkeepers whose shops were being sealed on the orders of the Supreme Court.

Warning the government of ''severe action'' if the interests of the shopkeepers were not looked after Mr Hashmi said he, along with his colleagues, would launch a relay hunger strike in all Assembly constituencies in Delhi from April 14, the birth anniversary of Baba B R Ambedkar.

''The day is significant as Baba Ambedkar fought for justice and the suffering class.'' Either the government bring out an Ordinance or we would be forced to take to the streets for the just rights of the shopkeepers, he said adding ''The real facts have not been put before the court. I am sure that the court would provide some relief if the facts are placed before it.'' Voicing the concern of fellow MLAs, Mr Chopra said they could go to ''any extent'' to fight for the genuine cause of the shopkeepers.

''And if needed, let there be amendment in the building bylaws and the city masterplan as several lakh people are affected by this sealing. It is not just traders and businessmen but all those who were employed in them hence we have been forced to agitate,'' he added.

If the real concerns are not looked into there is bound to be a law and order problem, Mr Chopra said adding that the government punish ''all those'' involved in getting these shops built in the first place and prevent this colossal national loss.

''The hunger strike which begins on April 14 would start from Kashmere Gate with the area MLA going on a 24-hour hunger strike to press for the demand,'' he said.

And this would continue in every Assembly constituency of Delhi irrespective of whether a Congress MLA is from there or not, the former Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president added.

Among the MLAs present at the meet included Veer Singh, Ambrish Gautam, Rajesh Jain, Mateem Ahmed, Kanwar Karan Singh, Jille Singh Chauhan and Meera Bhardwaj among others.

UNI AN MA HT1932