11-000-crore-loss-claim-delhi-traders-question-who-will-compensate-them-after-rally

Delhi’s trading community has estimated that business worth approximately Rs 11,000 crore was lost on November 1 after markets near the Ramlila Grounds remained closed during the INDIA bloc rally.

 

The event was held during the festive and shopping season, when commercial activity is usually high. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) had written several letters to Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, seeking postponement of the rally until after Diwali.

 

CTI chairman Brijesh Goyal said the Capital suffered a direct business loss of around Rs 11,000 crore on the day of the rally. The organisation’s assessment put the loss in retail and wholesale trade at Rs 8,800 crore.

 

According to the traders’ body, commercial activity stopped within a five-kilometre radius of Ramlila Maidan. Markets affected included Kashmiri Gate, Mori Gate, Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazar, Khari Baoli, Naya Bazar, Sadar Bazar, Ajmeri Gate, Daryaganj, Paharganj, Kamala Market, Jama Masjid, Bhagirath Palace, Lajpat Rai Market, Kinari Bazar, Dariba Kalan, Ballimaran, Fatehpuri, Tilak Bazar, Connaught Place, Palika Bazar, Gaffar Market and Karol Bagh.

 

These commercial areas together have around 3 lakh shops. The CTI said nearly 2.5 lakh shops remained fully shut, bringing about 80% of business activity to a standstill.

 

The transport and logistics industry was also affected, with the trade body estimating losses of Rs 1,500 crore after the movement of goods was disrupted within a 10-kilometre radius of the rally venue.

 

Losses suffered by hotels, restaurants, guest houses, dhabas and the tourism sector were assessed at Rs 500 crore. The CTI said bookings were cancelled at more than 2,000 establishments in Central Delhi areas such as Connaught Place, Karol Bagh, Paharganj, Chandni Chowk and Daryaganj.

 

 

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The shutdown also affected informal-sector workers and daily wage earners. The organisation estimated that approximately 2 million people, including workers, loaders, auto-rickshaw and e-rickshaw drivers, street vendors, porters and labourers, lost a full day’s wages, amounting to nearly Rs 200 crore.

 

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi accused the Centre of forcibly closing shops in Delhi. In a video message, he said people attending the march and rally had been urged to shop locally, but claimed that shops in areas including Connaught Place had been shut by the BJP.