Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 6 (ANI): A group of traders from Bhopal on Thursday met Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, urging the state government to protect businesses from sealing action following the Supreme Court’s recent order on commercial establishments operating in residential areas.
The traders sought immediate policy intervention, including implementation of a mixed land-use policy or the long-pending Bhopal Master Plan.
Vyapari Mahasangh (Naya Bhopal) president Anand Soni said the traders requested the government to introduce a mixed land-use policy, or adopt a model similar to Gujarat’s 2022 policy to regularise commercial establishments.
“Yesterday, the Supreme Court directed the Municipal Corporation to initiate action (against commercial establishments in residential areas). Today, we traders met the Urban Administration Minister and requested the minister that the government should implement a mixed land-use policy, or adopt the Gujarat model introduced in 2022, under which the Gujarat government regularised such establishments by charging a prescribed fee,” Soni said.
He added that the Municipal Corporation has identified around 30,000 properties for action, but the actual number could increase to nearly 50,000-60,000. If that happens, nearly 90 per cent of Bhopal’s businesses could be forced to shut down. This will not only affect traders but also the common citizens of Bhopal.
“The root cause of this situation is that the government has not brought a Master Plan for the last 21 years. Had a Master Plan or any such policy been implemented during this period and commercial plots been properly identified, the current situation would not have arisen. The Supreme Court’s directions are applicable to almost all states, but our submission is that the situation in Bhopal is different because the city has not had a Master Plan for the past 21 years,” Soni said.
He added, “The Minister told us that he will seek legal advice, present our concerns before the government, and also put forward their stance before the Supreme Court.”
Bhopal Chamber of Commerce president Govind Goyal said the minister assured the delegation that the issue would be examined with the help of senior legal experts.
“The Minister assured us that the matter is serious as it relates to a Supreme Court order. He said he would consult senior lawyers and officials to find a solution in favour of the traders,” Goyal said.
The trader further added, “The government itself has been collecting commercial land-use charges from shops operating in residential areas. Traders have been issued GST registrations and Gumasta licences by the government. When the government has itself allowed all these registrations and collected the required charges, it is also the government’s responsibility to protect traders.”
Speaking about the Bhopal Master Plan, Goyal also said that the Master Plan must be brought. It ensures proper roads, drainage systems, electricity and water infrastructure, creates a better urban environment and helps streamline traffic. It is essential for the city’s overall development, and they want the government to bring it at the earliest.
Responding to the traders’ concerns, Vijayvargiya said the government would examine all legal options while ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions.
“The government cannot disregard the Supreme Court’s directions. We are forming a team of officers and legal experts to study the matter and identify a legal solution through which traders do not suffer losses and can continue their business,” Vijayvargiya said.
He added that if required, the state government would approach the Supreme Court in support of the traders.
On the demand for the Bhopal Master Plan, Vijayvargiya said the Urban Development Department had completed its work and forwarded the proposal to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav for further consideration. (ANI)
Related reading
