Traders say ‘no’ to Delhi Master Plan 2021
Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has expressed dissatisfaction over the Delhi Master Plan 2021. CAIT ‘s General Secretary Pravin Khandelwal met the Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy on Wedenesday and gave them a letter demanding change in the Master Plan 2021. Major demands of the traders were that draft Master Plan 2021 did not mention anything regarding regularizations of buildings that exist before 31st December 2005 and categorization of different parts of Delhi still continues. Also there is no mention about rehabilitation of Traders whose premises have been sealed and no alternative sites have been offered to them. CAIT General Secretary Pravin Khandelwal said, “Delhi Master Plan is not for the welfare of traders.”Traders are planning to start a national movement to protect domestic trade of India. Pravin Khandelwal said that the traders have demanded the formation of ministry to promote internal trade at the Centre and the State level.
They have also demanded that the Central sales tax should be abolished. Traders have also demanded that the domestic trade should be protected from the foreign trade. Pravin Khandelwal said that Jaipal Reddy had earlier assured to protect the traders and he must not forget that commitment.
Pravin Khandelwal said, “We reject Delhi Master Plan as it has not spelled out any mechanism on how the business establishments that exist as on December 31, 2005 would be regularized.” Traders said that the categorization of different areas in Delhi is still a part of 2021 Master Plan, which smacks the policy discrimination. Master Plan does not mention any rehabilitation plan for the traders whose premises have been sealed by the government.
Traders also want an alternative site with required infrastructure to help the traders who have been dislocated by the sealing drive. Traders are also planning to meet Congress leader Ajay Makan and BJP chief Rajnath Singh.