Date:05/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/05/stories/2005050513910400.htm

New Delhi

Regularisation of shops demanded

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Leader of Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Subhash Arya, has demanded immediate regularisation of over 2.5-lakh shops in the residential colonies of the Capital that were opened before the first Master Plan of Delhi was formulated in 1962.

Stating that these shops generally belonged to those who came to Delhi after the Partition, the BJP leader said in many old colonies, like the one in his constituency, Rajouri Garden, developed in 1953, the residents opened shops in blocks A, F, G, H and J facing the main road to earn their livelihood.

"They started commercial activity before the first Master Plan came into affect which was primarily to meet the needs of those living in that colony and nearby areas. Gradually it became a big market on 40-feet wide road," he explained.