Despite notification,MCD to seal shops from tomorrow as per SC order

New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) Despite the Delhi Government today notifying nearly 2200 roads as commercial/mixed use areas to provide relief to traders, a measure of uncertainty continued to prevail over the fate of lakhs of traders with the MCD stating that they would carry out sealing-operation as usual as per order of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has fixed a September 16 deadline for the MCD to begin sealing of shops in residential areas.

MCD sources said with the deadline expiring tomorrow, it would continue to seal commercial establishments in Delhi as per the Apex court's order.

Any decision to stop sealing in the commercial/mixed use roads would only be taken on receiving a communication from the Supreme Court, the sources said.

Reacting to the notification, DPCC chief Rambabu Sharma said it would bring tremendous relief for the small traders.

Asked about the MCD decision to continue with the sealing operation, Mr Sharma said,''the MCD Commissioner should seek the advice of the Solicitor General in the matter.'' Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janta Party today alleged that notification would not stand judicial scrutiny.

In a statement issued here, BJP national secretary and former Union Minister Vijay Goel alleged that while designating commercial/mixed use roads in Delhi, a ''policy of discrimination, vote bank politics and pressure tactics'' was being adopted.

''As per the September notification of the Urban Development Ministry, no amendment would have been sought in A, B, C and D category colonies but the MCD even then made amendments. The Congress party wants to project to the Delhi public that it is eager to give relief to the people of Delhi but the court is not relenting,''Mr Goel said and alleged that the Congress Government was issuing each notification and making each amendment so as not to stand the test of judicial scrutiny.

He said that instead of decising on which road the commercial activities would run and mixed use of land made, the Government should have formulated a comprehensive policy in this regard.

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