Delhi traders down shutters for bandh

New Delhi, May 11 (UNI) Commercial activities in several parts of the capital today came to a virtual standstill as more than five lakh traders downed their shutters in response to a call for Delhi Bandh by various trade bodies to press for their demand for legislation in the ongoing session of Parliament to fully regularise all kinds of business establishments.

The Government is to introduce a Bill in Parliament, most probably today, to provide interim relief for one year to people against the continuing sealing and demolition drive.

There was no trading activity as all commercial markets including those at Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Kashmiri Gate, Sadar Bazar, Karol Bagh, Pahar Ganj, Nai Sarak as well as several major markets in South, North and East Delhi remained completely closed in response to the Bandh call by the Confederation of All India Traders, Delhi Traders' Sangharsh Morcha, Karol Bagh Traders Federation and several other trade bodies.

''There has been a tremendous response to the Bandh with all markets being closed today,'' CAIT secretary general Praveen Khandelwal said.

The traders are also demanding that the Centre introduce an amnesty scheme under which all business establishments as on date should be regularised.

Thousands of traders from all parts of Delhi are scheduled to hold a sangharsh rally at Jantar Mantar today to protest the sealing of shops and demolition by the MCD.

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