Traders denounce CDA’s anti-encroachment drive

Criticise mobile markets which sold goods freely while they were fined heavily

ISLAMABAD: As the Capital Development Authority (CDA) continues its anti-encroachment campaign in the capital, traders on Thursday urged the civic agency to take the concerned unions on board before taking any action inside markets.

They also urged Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar to give Islamabad Mayor and CDA Chairman Shiekh Anser Aziz control of the Market Committee. The further urged the minister to launch an investigation into the heavy fines and illegal notices issued imposed on the traders by the civil administration.

During a meeting of the capital’s traders on Thursday, they decided to unite under the banner of a Traders Action Committee against the anti-encroachment drive. They decided to call a meeting of all market unions of the capital on Saturday to discuss the drive and decide on a plan of action against CDA’s operations.

Traders at the meeting also expressed their reservations over price lists issued by the Market Committee of CDA. They claimed that rates announced by the committee were even lower than auction prices at wholesale markets.

They criticised the mobile bazaars of the city administration which freely sold fruits and vegetables from vans in the markets while heavy fines of up to Rs30,000 were being imposed on greengrocers.

Regarding notices for trade license, they said traders had already obtained these from the CDA’s Municipal Administration department.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2017.