Shopkeepers with establishments along the 2,183 notified commercial stretches are unlikely to face the sealing squads on Thursday even if they have not submitted affidavits giving an undertaking to comply with the orders of the Supreme Court.
However, the routine sealing drive against illegal commercial establishments along the non-notified roads, which had been suspended due to non-availability of police force, is likely to resume on Thursday.
On Wednesday, the last day of submitting affidavits, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) received 44,675 affidavits by 6 p.m.
An estimated 1.17 lakh traders are required to submit affidavits stating that they would comply with SC orders on the status of the twin September notifications. As per the court orders, traders who do not submit these affidavits can face the sealing squads from Thursday.
Confederation of All Indian Traders (CAIT) secretary general Praveen Khandelwal expressed hope that the traders would be granted more time to submit the affidavits. "When we are willing to abide by the orders of the court, we should be given adequate time… Union Minister Jaipal Reddy had assured us that there would be no sealing from February 1 and the government should take all steps to honour the union minister's word," Khandelwal said.
Monitoring Committee members, however, have clarified that they would not tolerate any interference in the sealing drive.
{{/usCountry}}Monitoring Committee members, however, have clarified that they would not tolerate any interference in the sealing drive.
{{/usCountry}}Email Vibha Sharma: vibha@hindustantimes.com