Proceedings in the Rajya Sabha were disrupted on Friday as opposition parties, including Samajwadi Party and Aam Aadmi Party, raised the issue of communal clashes in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj and the sealing drive in the national capital.
The AAP members led by Sanjay Singh trooped near Chairman’s podium and started sloganeering and accusing the union government of ruining the lives of over seven lakh traders.
Kurien urged the AAP members to give proper notice on Monday over the issue. But they continued with with their protest.
“Delhi is second home for every MP. So, it is our duty to help them. The Union government can’t be a mere spectator. They should give an answer,” Azad said.
The AAP went back to their seats and the Question Hour continued after Azad spoke on the issue and urged the Union government to “help the people of Delhi”.
Also Read: Rajya Sabha disrupted over Kasganj clashes, Delhi sealing
Dikshit Writes to PM Over Sealing Drive, Expresses Concern
Former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the impact of the sealing drive on traders in the national capital, and suggested that legalities for mixed land use be notified.
Sheila Dikshit in the letterA similar situation was faced in the year 2006 when I was Chief Minister of Delhi. At the request of my government, the then central government issued an ordinance to save the properties.
“2,183 roads were notified to save properties practicing business and trade. In the same order basements were allowed to be used by professionals to ensure continuity of their profession. Sadly properties are being sealed even in the notified areas,” she said.
The former chief minister claimed that the BJP had promised in its 2017 MCD manifesto that once convergence charges are paid, sealing would not take place for such properties and they would be regularised.
“But now I am told that even those who have paid the convergence charges are being sealed. I suggest that the Urban Development Ministry notifies the legality of mixed land use and a meeting of all stakeholders and political representatives be called to resolve the issue,” she said.
Shops to Keep Shutter Down for 48 Hours Over Protest Against Sealing Drive
In a bid to intensify the protests against the ongoing sealing drive carried out by the municipal corporations in Delhi, trade unions, on Friday, called for all shops to keep their shutters down for 48 hours. The traders threatened to extend the тАШbandhтАЩ if the BJP-led civic agencies do not stop the sealing drive.
The bandh called by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an umbrella body of trade groups, affected markets in Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh, Sadar Bazar, Kashmiri Gate, Bhagirath Place, Defence Colony, Green Park, among other areas.
According to CAIT, all wholesale and commercial markets in Delhi were shut in protest against the sealing drive.
Praveen Khandelwal of Confederation Of All India Traders, while slamming the sealing drive, said,тАЬAlmost 2,500 markets will be closed. Protest marches against sealing would be taken out by businessmen in around 500 markets. The ongoing sealing is very harmful to our economy.тАЭ
Shops remain closed at Sadar Bazar as traders down shutters protesting the sealing drive in New Delhi.
The authorities, however, are trying to make amends and with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday approving changes to the city’s Master Plan, IANS reported.
The proposed amendments in the Master Plan include increasing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of local shopping complexes (LSCs) from existing 180 percent to 300 percent, and regularising agricultural godowns on 12-metre wide roads.
The sealing drive is on against business establishments using residential areas for commercial purposes without paying conversion charges.
A statement from the development authority said that under these amendments, commercial activity in the basements will be allowed in all commercial areas “subject to payment of requisite charges without any discrimination”.
Shops remain closed at Sadar Bazar as traders down shutters protesting the sealing drive in New Delhi.
The decision was taken at a meeting headed by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, who is chairman of DDA.
“The board has approved these changes. They will now be put in the public domain for three days and a meeting will be called after that,” DDA member and BJP MLA Vijender Gupta. (The Quint)
