DELHI TRADERS DEMAND NOTIFICATION TO HALT EVICTION OF TENANTS

“We have urged the Union Urban Development Minister Venkiah Naidu to issue a notification on the lines of illegal colonies to stop eviction of trader tenants till the new Delhi rent Act is promulgated. The Union government is in process of framing the new rent law after repeal of the Delhi Rent Act 1995 after consultation with various stake holders including officials, legal experts, traders and landlords. We have urged the Union Urban Development Ministry to enact a balanced law which should not be titled towards landlords. The principle of natural justice and economic justice guaranteed under the Indian Constitution should be adhered to.”said Mr Manoj Mohan Agarwal, President, Delhi Rajya Vyapar Sangathan.

“We have also urged the Union Urban Development Ministry to provide absolute clarity on ‘bonafide need’of the landlord for eviction of a tenant as presently under the garb of bonafide need on frivolous grounds thousands of traders in the capital have been issued eviction notices. Under the new law, trader-tenant bonafide needs should to be taken into account since not only the tenant’s family livelihood is dependent on it but also many more related people are dependent on it for their earnings. Thus, economic justice guaranteed in the Preamble of the Constitution needs to be protected,” Mr Agarwal said.

“The issue of implementation of Delhi Rent Act is hanging fire since last 18 years as the tenants had been demanding a fair play and justice to make it more balanced. However, it is regretted that the issue has been coloured as a disputed issue between landlords and tenants whereas this is actually not the case. Therefore, the issue needs to be debated and legislated in a broader perspective.” Said Ms Parmajit Kaur, Secretary of the traders body.

“More than Ten lakh traders in the city and about 30 lakh dependents are likely to be affected by the sword of eviction on frivolous ground by landlords will also fall on resident tenants who are again tens of lakhs in numbers. We have sought immediate intervention of the Union Government to protect the trading community. Following Independence, the landlords restricted by the then prevalent laws could not bifurcate and sell the property in parts due to the prevalent land laws then. “said Ms Kaur.

“After partition PUGREE” system was devised where the amount equalent of the property was handed over to the landlord at the time of possession and a very nominal rent was charged paid to him as rent, to obtain electric, water connections, trade licenses and to work unhindered in that property.” SaidAgarwal.

“The employees of the evicted tenant are not capable of being employed in the organised sector. Their age and education qualifications go against their re-employment prospects, thus rendering these 40-50 lac people homeless and jobless. The employees cannot afford to educate their children once their livelihood is taken away.This today is a major social issue which needs an immediate solution, failing which you can expect a re-run of the 1947 like situation in Delhi.” Said Ms Parmajit Kaur, Secretary of the traders body.