Delhi traders demand constitutional amendment

With the Supreme Court ordering resumption of the sealing drive, traders on Monday demanded that the Centre bring in a constitutional amendment to provide relief to them from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi action.

"The government is fully aware of the humanitarian aspects involved and we hope it will take an appropriate decision, including a constitutional amendment," secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders Praveen Khandelwal said.

The traders are now pinning hope on the meeting of the Group of Ministers on the issue scheduled to take place later in the day and a decision on the future course of action will be taken after that, he added.

"Government is always free to bring in a constitutional amendment as assured by Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy on the floor of the House. We hope the government will honour the promises made by the minister," he said.

"A constitutional amendment is the only way to save the traders from the clutches of sealing," he added.

Refusing to provide any relief to traders of unauthorised business establishments in residential areas, the Supreme Court dismissed applications of the Centre, Delhi government and MCD and asked the authorities to resume the sealing drive.