Maken assures relief for shops in DDA flats

New Delhi, Dec 4 (UNI) Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken today assured traders that the Centre was making efforts to provide relief to shopkeepers of DDA flats.

Talking to a delegation of the Confederation of All India Traders(CAIT), led by its Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal, Mr Maken said the Government had taken serious cognizance of sealing in DDA flats.

Accordingly, the MCD Commissioner and Vice Chairman, DDA have been directed to approach the Monitoring Committee to bring DDA Flats under the ambit of sealing relief available to shops of 20 sq m in 24 categories of trade approved by the Supreme Court. The Government is considering 2-3 alternatives to provide relief to DDA Flats on notified roads and for this purpose, the DDA will even change the lease deed. He also assured that the issue of reduction in conversion charges will be discussed with Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy.

According to Mr Khandelwal, the minister assured that the Government would provide rehabilitation package to traders of negative list and that suitable arrangements shall be made in Master Plan 2021.

Mr Maken also assured to introduce Master Plan 2021 before January 31, as promised by Mr Reddy and said the Ministry was working overnight for the purpose.

Meanwhile, intensifying their agitation against sealing, the Delhi Traders began their Sealing Chetna Week from today by holding a public meeting of traders where trade leaders Shyam Sharma and Gurjeet Pal Singh offered arrest to lodge protest against continuous sealing operations in Delhi. The Chetna Rath of traders will move around markets of West Delhi tomorrow.

The traders delegation, which included more than 100 trade leaders of leading bodies of Delhi, also demanded reduction in conversion charges, rehabilitation package for trade falling under negative category, providing parking lots to trade bodies on BOT basis and protection of properties covered under Gadgil award from sealing.

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