Wood panel traders and shopkeepers in Delhi are facing trouble of sealing in Delhi once again after a decade. This is the second sealing drive in Delhi within 15 years. Plywood, timber, furniture and building raw material markets are badly affected due to this. Wood panel and timber trade are feeling the heat equally and bearing a huge loss as traders belonging to other categories of businesses. Traders, dealers and distributors of wood panel industry in Delhi are in fear and complaining that their sales have dropped by 50 % in last two months. Plywood and laminates lifting is on halt as customers are not approaching or there is no fresh order coming up to them. They are expecting that it will continue till the issue comes to resolve because retailers are not interested in stocking due to fear of sealing.
SK Agarwal of Pyramid Timber who is one of the victims of sealing drive said, “MCD authorities are sealing at places which are not notified with conversion changes. I am also facing this trouble as they are targeting greenbelt area also. Business is going down and traders are in fear due to this. People are not stocking and orders from outside has put on hold. After 22 December the effect of sealing took place at larger extent in which Defence Colony and Chhattarpur market have been sealed. Laminate and timber lifting has left to 50%. They are also driving sealing at Ghitorni, Uttam Nagar, Pashchim Vihar etc. Traders are trying to come out of the trouble and have approached to the apex court for the relief. ”
Kotla Timber & Plywood Traders Association President and the Owner of Om Prakash Shatish Kumar, Mr Hariprakash Singhal said, “Our businesses have totally affected as customers are not approaching to the market due to problem of loading and unloading here in day time. Authorities are not suggesting any option for this loss. How can we sustain in the business is a big question for us? Shopkeepers are mentally disturbed with this drive. We have already deposited conversion charges but sealing authorities just do their duty and are sealing our properties without any notice. Authorities also target us for traffic disturbance in this area.”
The recent order of the apex court has directed to monitor commercial activity in residential area in Delhi. Many of the prominent areas having furniture or timber trade which were smoothly going on, but the recent administrative move has put them in fear and they are very much worried. The area such as Uttam Nagar, Shahadara, Khan Market, Chhattarpur, Ghitorni, Shilampur, Paharganj, etc are facing the trouble of the sealing drive and many of prominent areas such as Kotla Mubarakpur, South Extension, Bhogal, and others are in fear of the drive and continuously meeting with authorities to find a solution. The recent meeting with DDA authorities and trade associations of Delhi held on 2nd of February has indicated for proposals to pacify traders and increased floor area ratio for local shopping complexes, reduced conversion charge penalties and regularised agricultural go downs amid the ongoing protests.
Hardip Singh Bhalla, Owner of Kashmir Timber & Plywood Co and Traders Association’s vice president said, “Our work is on hold due to none lifting because traders in the entire Delhi are in fear. This is a wholesale market and we are interlinked. Currently the businesses activities are totally unstable and even government are not clear about it. We have given presentation before authorities. Monitoring committee has directed to target commercial activity at residential area but local authorities are targeting to commercial places like Kotla Mubarakpur also.”
Furniture traders after meeting with local authorities observed Bandh for three days in protest. Rohit Gandhi of Sai Moulding and Timber Plywood said, “Our customers are shopkeepers who are disturbed with sealing drive and due to which our sales have gone down by over 60%. Right from the DeMo, then GST and now sealing have broken us all rounded. Within 15 days the trader association have called three days band and we have to bear the cost of these closers.” Manoj Goel of Sevaram & Co and Secretary of Kotla Timber & Plywood Traders Association said, “We are in fear of sealing as many parts of Delhi have been targeted. Due to which sales are affected but lifting are somehow at considerably good, but people who are not proper are in fear.”
Shiv Kumar of Vishnu Timber & Plywood Co said, “After GST rate reduction on plywood and other wood panel products we have observed a pick up in the market but this sealing drive once again bring us worry to think twice to sustain in this business. Most affected are employees and our payments have stuck with the parties. The Government is coming up with every new rules but it is not properly obeyed.” While Parag Bhalla of Hindustan Timber Bhalla & Co Pvt Ltd said, “Many shops in different markets have been sealed in Delhi which have been in illegal spaces or have not deposited conversion charges. In Kotla Mubarakpur also, which is a leading timber trade market and behind that there is a residential area. Many of the traders who have acquired the spaces in that area are in fear as timer businesses are not allowed in streets of residences.”
DDA after the suggestion from centre has indicated to amend Master Plan 2021 and increase floor area ratio for local shopping complexes, reduce conversion charge penalties and regularize agricultural go downs after protests. The move is aimed at providing relief to traders hit by a sealing drive on commercial establishments across the national capital since December 15 last year. According to DDA official, the permitted FAR (Floor Area Ratio) in local shopping complexes ranges from 150 to 180 sq yard, while the amended figure would be between 300 and 350 sq yard depending on the plot sizes. The traders are still unhappy and protesting against them, but it may bring some relief.