Traders protest MCD decision to begin sealing from Sep 1

New Delhi, Aug 25 (UNI) Aggrieved over the decision of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to begin sealing of certain categories of commercial structures from September 1, traders are on a hunger strike in various part of the capital.

After women traders from all over Delhi sat on a hunger strike at Rohini yesterday, traders are sitting on hunger strike at Lajpat Nagar and G T Karnal Road today.

Yesterday's hunger strike, led by President of Federation of Rohini Traders Association, Vijay Pal Singh, had local trade leaders including Sandeep Dawar, Gulshan Sachdeva, Surender Lamba and Bhim Singh Saini participating.

The protestors, including working women and housewives, have strongly demanded the Government to save trade of Delhi from the clutches of sealing.

Trade leaders, including secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders Praveen Khandelwal, Senior Vice President Ramesh Khanna, Subhash Garg and Secretary, Federation of Delhi Trade Associations, Murli Mani who are attending the hunger strike, say the sealing drive of the MCD has damaged the business in Delhi to a great extent.

There is a decline of about more than 30 per cent in trade volume in the last two months, they said.

Moreover, the upcountry traders are refraining themselves from coming to Delhi for purchases which is posing a major threat to the distributive character of the Delhi trade. Beside retail markets, even the wholesale markets of Delhi are wearing a deserted look.

The trade leaders plan to exert pressure on all leading political parties in Parliament to mount pressure on the Union Government to bring an ordinance or bill to resolve the sealing issue. They are also planning to meet former Prime Ministers to garners support.

UNI AR YA KN1438