Sealing: Govt says too early to bring legislation

Government tonight said it was "too early" to think about bringing in a legislation to give relief to traders facing closure of their shops in residential areas of the capital as it wants to wait for the Supreme Court's decision on November 21.

"After November 21, we think around 95 per cent of traders would get relief. After that, the two suggestions can be considered as it is too early now," Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy said referring to BJP suggestions for a legislation granting relief to traders.

His comments came after Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha L K Advani, leading a traders' delegation, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and sought amendment to the Delhi Municipal Act to take away powers of sealing from the civic body.

The delegation also demanded a general amnesty plan for the affected traders.

Among others who met the PM included BJP leaders V K Malhotra and Arun Jaitley and Confederation of All India Traders leaders Praveen Khandelwal, Ramesh Khanna and Satish Garg.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil was also present at the meeting.

"We have given two suggestions, one is to amend the MCD Act and other was to give amnesty to traders who have set up their establishments before December 31, 2005," Jaitley told reporters after the 45-minute-long meeting.