Delhi: 50 more shops of Defence Colony market sealed
What's the story
The South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) recently sealed at least 50 more shops in the basement of the Defence Colony Market. The establishments were sealed for alleged misuse of land and non-payment of conversion charges. The civic body conducted this sealing drive on the directions of the Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee. Here's more.
The sealing drive
Defence Colony market shops' sealing started in December
Earlier in the last week of December, the civic body conducted the first sealing drive of the first floor that included over 50 shops for pending conversion charges as per provisions in the city's Master Plan 2021. The sealing drive of one of the poshest markets of Delhi took everyone by surprise and was conducted in the presence of MCD and police officials.
Details
Basement shops are only to store goods: South Corporation leader
Post the sealing drive, Leader of the House in South Corporation Shikha Rai said,"As per the provisions of the master plan, all kinds of businesses cannot be run inside basements. It can only be used to store goods, run offices, consultancy, etc." Adding that the basement establishments disregard safety rules, she said that the shops didn't have firefighting equipment and adequate light facilities.
Reactions
The sealing drive was ruthless: Defence Colony Traders' Association Chief
Terming the whole sealing drive as 'ruthless', Defence Colony Traders' Association president Rajender Malik said that even though many parts of Delhi has illegal basements, the civic body has never taken any action against them. "They just see this market. In less than a month, they have come here twice," he added.