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At least 11 establishments in New Delhi’s upscale Khan Market were sealed off in parts on 9 January, bringing the total number of establishments sealed by the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (on 8 and 9 January) to 19.
Officials from the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) conducted the sealing drive under the order of a Supreme Court-appointed monitoring committee constituted to identify misuse of land and illegal constructions by establishments.
The establishments whose terraces were sealed off include: Sham Di Hatti, Mamagoto, La Bodega, Raghavendra Rathore, Civil House, Chatter House, and Aquamarine on 9 January. NDTV added that Ritu Kumar Fashion Stores, FabIndia, and The Blue Door Cafe had their terraces sealed on 9 January. The Print added that Parallel - Craft & Kitchen Bar & Anita Dongre was also shut.
Establishments that were sealed in parts on 8 January include restaurants Khan Chacha, Smokey's Grill, Wok in the Clouds, Geetanjali salon, Jawed Habib's salon, Affinity, Ayena Skin Clinic, and Amrapali Jewellery store.
This came a day after four eateries and four salons were sealed on 8 January, in a similar drive by the NDMC.
The sealing notice issued to establishments on 8 January states that parts of the establishments were sealed for an alleged “misuse of terrace”.
The sealing order dated 8 January reads that the terraces of establishments being sealed off in parts, are in violation of Section 250 of the NDMC Act. Section 250 authorises the sealing of a property after ordering demolition of, or stoppage of construction work on the property.
The “constructions” are usually water tanks, chairs, or even simple electrical equipment required for daily operations, Anshu Tandon, President, Khan Market Welfare Association, told The Quint.
The NDMC sealing notice adds that is that the terraces are being “misused” used for “commercial purposes.”
Most establishments in Khan Market are residential plots which have been converted for commercial use. The owners of the establishments, the Khan Market Trade and Welfare associations maintain, paid a one-time Use Conversion Charge, which allows the usage of the property for commercial purposes.
However, a number of store and restaurant owners in Khan Market told The Quint that there was no clear policy or commercial plan laid down by the NDMC as far as the usage of terraces.
(With inputs from NDTV, PTI, TOI & Hindustan Times)
(This story has been updated)
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