North body to give 48-hr notice before sealing drive

‘We have been receiving several complaints from traders’

Relief for traders: The civic bodies have been sealing unauthorised structures and sections of shops on the orders of the Supreme Court. Seen above, a sealing drive in progress at Meherchand Market.

In a sliver of relief for traders across the city, the North Delhi Municipal Corporation decided on Friday that a 48-hour notice will be sent before any sealing drive is initiated.

In a special meeting called by the Standing Committee of the North Corporation on Friday, the committee decided that a notice should be issued before the shops are sealed.

“We have been receiving several complaints from traders that no notices are issued before sealing drives are conducted. As per law, this is mandatory. Henceforth, we are bound to issue a 48-hour notice to the market targeted,” Standing Committee Chairperson Tilak Raj Kataria said.

The civic bodies have been sealing unauthorised structures and sections of shops on the orders of the Supreme Court. Over 500 shops have been sealed so far in several popular markets across the city. “…The spirit of this decision is to avoid any harassment and injustice…Violation of the order will be taken seriously,” the order read.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari met members of the monitoring committee and requested them to stall the sealing drives for four months to give time to traders to sort their functioning.

“This and the previous Delhi government sat on a proposal for property regularisation. Thus, it is imperative that traders be given four months so that the government and its agencies can be pressurised to complete the regularisation process,” said Mr. Tiwari.