Monday, September 11 2006 14:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: While Delhi civic authorities held a high power standing committee meeting Monday to notify roads for mixed land use, both traders and resident welfare associations criticised the Government for an ad hoc arrangement.

"This is simply a temporary arrangement. You just cannot allow mixed land use in certain colonies and when they grow economically, you throw them away," said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

"There should be a proper rehabilitation plan for the ousted traders. They should at least get commercial place at a subsidised rate. The small traders running coal shops, wood shops must be absorbed through a rehabilitation package," Khandelwal said.

Hundreds of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in the capital also agreed with traders for the first time.

"We do not want civil unrest but the government must come up with a long term solution. Traders who constitute a huge portion of our society must get commercial space at a subsidised rate," Sanjay Kaul, who heads the United RWAs Joint Association.

"There should be a time bound framework on these issues. The government should resolve to give a proper shape to the urban chaos syndrome in the next five years," he added. Meanwhile, The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will meet later Monday to notify nearly 400 roads in E, F and G (not so economically well of) type localities.

But Khandelwal said that in spite of all their claims, nearly 100,000 colonies would be sealed in Delhi and many of them are in these above colonies.

"We will meet the urban development minister and take up the issue with him. The rehabilitation package will be the key of our meeting," he said.

"The sealing drive will cost the Delhi Government at least Rs.3 billion per annum," Khandelwal added.

As per a Supreme Court directive, civic authorities began sealing commercial establishments in residential areas. Since Sep 1, over 1,000 commercial units including some high profile restaurants, showrooms and gymnasiums have been sealed.