AAP to protest sealing drive, FDI

Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday said that it would hold protest on January 23 and 29, against the ongoing sealing drive and changes in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in retail.

"A large sum of money was collected under conversion and parking charges. The traders have neither received anything in return nor do they have any information about the money collected," party leader Gopal Rai told media.

Rai said the party members in all 70 constituencies will join the Confederation for All India Traders (CAIT) when traders observe a day long "Delhi trade bandh" on January 23 to lodge their protests against ongoing sealing of business establishments in the city.

The ongoing sealing drive by civic bodies and collection of conversion charges has been referred to an existing nine-member committee by state Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel.

It is being carried out by a Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee against business establishments using residential properties for commercial purposes, and it is being implemented by the three BJP-led Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCDs).

Rai said that the party's Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs along with other stakeholders will take part in a march to the Parliament on January 29 over the issue.

"The Congress government initiated 49 per cent FDI in retail which was followed by the BJP who spiked it up to 100 per cent," he said.

--IANS

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