Monday, September 25 2006 15:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hear today (Sept 25,2006) the Central Government's plea against the drive to seal commercial units operating from residential areas that saw violent protests last week leading to the death of four people.

The hearing takes place before a division bench of the court.

The central government on Friday filed an affidavit urging the apex court to hold as valid its notification to allow commercial activities on nearly 2,200 roads.

Traders and residents' welfare associations held a meeting on Sunday and decided to urge the court to direct the Government to compensate the traders affected by the sealing and to carry out the sealing work in a phased manner so that traders get ample time to shift their businesses.

"The government should provide alternative arrangements to traders before sealing their businesses," said Praveen Khandelwal, member of the Confederation of Indian Traders.

The sealing drive remains suspended after Wednesday's massive protests that led to a police firing and the death of four people.

Over 500,000 traders have been badly hit by the sealing drive, said Khandelwal.

"We have demanded a practical and time-bound solution to the problem," he said, adding that representatives of all affected sections of society should be involved in the decision-making.

He said they had urged the apex court to set up a committee that could study the problem and propose practical solutions.