CAIT, RWAs forum delegation meets Puri on sealing, anti-encroachment issues

A joint delegation of an industry body and a residents' welfare forum today met Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to discuss the issue of the ongoing sealing and anti-encroachment drives being conducted in the city.

Members of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and United Residents Joint Front (URJA) met the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs at his office in Nirman Bhawan here.

"Delighted to receive a joint delegation of CAIT & various RWAs. Was both reassured & happy to find that the joint-statement in the resolution passed by them not only discusses the problems but also suggests what needs to be done in Delhi.

"I have always believed that problems which the citizens of Delhi face can be addressed & happily resolved," Puri tweeted.

The delegation also submitted a memorandum to the minister, which carried the points from the resolution passed recently by the residents forum on improving civic issues in the city.

"Both CAIT and URJA called upon the minister to streamline the anti-encroachment and sealing drives, and said everyone should be given a prior notice and reasonable opportunity to defend his case," the CAIT said in a statement.

Puri said both traders and RWAs are two pillars of the city and have an "important role" to play in the planning and development of Delhi, to make it a better city.

The joint memorandum said encroachments on public land in any residential, commercial, industrial or green areas by anybody or any authority should be "strictly removed, demolished and not allowed".

"Vendors or hawkers should be placed as per policy spelled out in the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and footpath and walkways should have free passage for pedestrians.

"Stilt parking is not to be used for any commercial activity and violation should be punished with immediate effect," the memorandum said.