Sealing could make traders lose livelihood, commit suicides:BJP

New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) Stating that sealing of shops in residential areas of the capital could lead to lakhs of people losing their livelihood and also mass suicides, the Bharatiya Janata Party today appealed to Chief Justice of india Y K Sabharwal to provide relief to the traders by regularising the constructions made so far.

In a letter written to Justice Sabharwal, BJP Delhi Pradesh President Harshvardhan appealed that the Bench constituted under him to hear the case relating to illegal constructions and commercial units in residential areas should take into consideration humanitarian aspects while hearing the case.

''He should provide relief by regularising the constructions made so far. The responsibility of the Government agencies should be fixed and a provision of penalty be made so that in future no illegal constructions take place,''the letter said.

This Bench headed by Justice Sabharwal had reprimanded the Government yesterday saying it was misleading the people by issuing notifications inspite of the fact that the case is pending before the Court? In his letter to Justice Sabharwal, Dr Harshvardhan said the five lakh retail shops in Delhi located in the neighbourhood of commercial areas have been serving the daily needs of the people living in the respective areas.

''If these are suddenly closed, sealed or demolished then the danger of losing livelihood of lakhs of people will arise. Mass suicides shall start,''the letter said adding that so far four traders have committed suicide due to their shops being sealed.

Stressing the need for providing alternative arrangements for the traders before sealing their commercial units, Dr Harshvardhan said,''whenever the Courts have ordered the removal of Jhuggi jhopris constructed in an unauthorised way, it has also directed the Government to make alternative arrangements for them and only after that they should be removed. Why any alternative arrangement is not being made at the time of displacing the traders of Delhi?'' Blaming the Centre, the MCD and the DDA for a lack of systematic development in Delhi, he said,''so far two Master Plans have been implemented but these have not been implemented within the fixed time. The Third Master Plan which should have been implemented in 2001 is at the drafting stage even after six years. The Central Government is responsible for it. Even the MCD and DDA have admitted through their affidavits before the Bench that they have been able to fulfil only 16 per cent of the trade needs of Delhi. Had the agencies like DDA, MCD etc. responsible for the development of Delhi in a legal way, discharged their responsibilities the face national capital could not have been ugly today. Now only one Party is being punished.'' Dr Harshvardhan requested the Chief Justice that he should listen to the traders and industrial organisations of Delhi, the political opposition and other interested parties at the time of hearing the case so that he may be able to deliver a public welfare judgement after listening to every one and the livelihood of the people may be saved besides honour of law.

In this sensitive case only the stringent sections of law should not be taken into consideration.

''The humanitarian aspects should be given highest priority and a flexible and kind attitude should be adopted with the people,''he said in his letter to the Chief Justice.

Talking to reporters here, he hoped that during the September 25 hearing, the Supreme Court will take cognizance of his letter and provide concrete relief to the people of Delhi.

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