Markets closed as Delhi traders hold mega rally against sealing drive in Ramlila Maidan

Demanding protection from the ongoing sealing drive, traders are observing a strike in New Delhi on Wednesday. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Protesting against the sealing drive, the traders also conducted a rally at Ramlila Ground. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

The call for the shutdown was given by the Chamber of Trade Industries (CTI), Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Indian Industries and Trade Group, and Federation of Trade Association last week. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Around seven lakh business establishments and over 3,000 commercial markets across the city will remain closed, including Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Lajpat Nagar and Sarojini Nagar market. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Around 20 industrial areas and 20,000 transporters have joined the shutdown call demanding that the Centre bring forth a bill or an ordinance to stop the sealing drive. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

“Trade and commerce in Delhi will remain completely closed on March 28 and both wholesale and retail markets will observe trade bandh. More than 3,000 commercial markets of Delhi will remain closed,” PTI quoted Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary of CAIT, as saying. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

The Supreme Court has ordered sealing of commercial establishments across Delhi over non-payment of conversion charges, encroachment, and illegal construction, as mandated by provisions in the Delhi Master Plan 2021. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

The sealing drive is being carried out by the three municipal corporations and is being overseen by a monitoring committee appointed by the court. The committee began the process on December 17, 2017. Thousands of shops have been sealed in the last three months. (Source: Express Photo by Amit Mehra)

Traders are demanding that the Centre introduce a Bill or promulgate an Ordinance to stop the sealing drive. They also seek protection from the drive. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Traders have simultaneously asked the AAP-led Delhi government to move a Bill in the state Assembly to temporarily stop the sealing, and forward the same to the Centre for approval. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Traffic conditions across Delhi was affected due to the protests as a huge number of traders took part in the strike. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

The Delhi Assembly, earlier this month, passed a resolution demanding that the Centre take steps to stop the sealing drive. The resolution stated: “Sealing should immediately be stopped. De-seal the already sealed shops.” It was passed by voice vote. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, meanwhile, had described the sealing as a “dangerous attack” on traders. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

A delegation of AAP, BJP and Congress members later met the SC-appointed monitoring committee and sought immediate relief for traders in the city. The panel, however, did not provide any assurance on the same. It suggested the parties move the apex court or bring an Ordinance on the issue. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)

Delhi Master Plan 2021is a document which provides guidelines, policies, development code and space requirements for socio-economic activities supporting the city’s population during the plan period. While the first was promulgated in 1962, it was revised in 1982 to create the Master Plan 2001. It was revised against and notified in 2007 to create the Master Plan 2021. (Source: Express Photo by Tashi Tobgyal)