By | Udaybhai Thakkar
Mumbai: A major relief has arrived for the traders of Delhi as Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk and Secretary General of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), Shri Praveen Khandelwal, expressed deep gratitude to Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta for her timely and decisive intervention in the long-pending Chandni Chowk sealing issue.
Speaking to media, CAIT Vice President and Thane Zila Wholesale Vyapari Welfare Mahasangh President Shri Suresh Bhai Thakkar lauded the Chief Minister’s prompt response and sensitivity towards the concerns of the trading community.
After Shri Khandelwal’s formal request last Saturday, CM Rekha Gupta personally met a delegation of traders led by him to understand the ground situation. Soon after, she held a high-level meeting with senior officials and instructed the Delhi Government to take the matter before the Hon’ble Supreme Court without delay.
Acting swiftly on her directions, the case was presented before the Supreme Court today. The apex court, in a significant decision, upheld the rights of traders under the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD) Act, directing the Appellate Tribunal to decide 62 pending appeals on their individual merits by December 31, 2025.
This crucial judgment has provided long-awaited relief and restored confidence among Delhi’s trading fraternity, ensuring no arbitrary action is taken against law-abiding traders.
“We express our heartfelt thanks to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for her prompt and compassionate leadership. Her decisive steps ensured the traders’ voice was heard at the highest judicial level,”said Shri Khandelwal.
He further emphasized the need for a permanent and comprehensive solution to the sealing issue to prevent future uncertainty and harassment of traders. Shri Khandelwal also announced that CAIT will soon convene a meeting of all major trade associations across Delhi to devise a long-term action plan.
If required, CAIT is also prepared to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court to highlight how key provisions of the MCD Act—enacted by Parliament—are being ignored, depriving traders of their lawful rights.
Khandelwal further pointed out that the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Special Provisions) Act, which protects “Special Areas” like Old Delhi, continues to be overlooked despite its clear legal safeguards.
He reaffirmed his commitment to raise the issue in the upcoming session of Parliament, ensuring that traders’ rights are protected and their economic contributions duly recognized.
“Delhi’s traders are the backbone of the city’s economy. They serve citizens with honesty and dedication. Subjecting them to outdated or misapplied laws is unjust and contrary to fair governance,”Shri Khandelwal concluded.
