Commercial establishments in many parts of the city were shut down in support of the bandh called by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) in protest against the on-going sealing drive by the civic bodies.
Notable places where markets remained closed were Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, Chawri Bazar, Kamla Nagar, Karol Bagh, Kashmere Gate, Khari Baoil, Naya Bazar, Bhagirath Palace, Paharganj and Rajouri Garden.
In Karol Bagh traders registered their protest by holding begging bowls in their hands. Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) convener Brajesh Goyal and Hemant Gupta said, “earlier it was Central Government and now the MCD has created such a condition that merchants in the Capital are forced to roam on streets with begging bowls in their hands.”
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CTI secretary general Ramesh Ahuja and Rakesh Yadav alleged that in the name of conversion charge, the MCD was particularly targeting markets of Old Delhi even though the records of markets there dated before1962. Pradeep Gupta of Khari Baoli Chemical Merchants Association, noted that Chandni Chowk, Lal Kila, Khari Baoli, Jama Masjid, Dariaganj and Kini Bazar were among the historic markets of Delhi.
In Sadar Bazar, businessmen marked their protest by hanging a lock around their necks. Paramjeet Singh gave vent to his anger: “We are being made to bear the brunt of trouble by all means ~ note-ban, GST and sealing drive. Now we have two options.
Either we seal our premises ourselves or we commit suicide the court opens for terrorists at night but for us all doors are closed.”
In a statement, CAIT claimed that scores of trade associations from across the city joined ‘Delhi trade bandh and commercial activities came to a “standstill”.
It may be recalled that civic bodies in north, south and central Delhi began sealing drive late last month by taking action against more than 50 shops in Defence Colony Market at the instance of a Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee.
The action taken against properties was for non-payment of conversion charges and violation of civic norms, such as encroachment or illegal construction.
