Plea seeking resumption of all weekly markets in Delhi with Covid Precautions: Delhi HC seeks response from Govt

The Delhi High Court on Monday issued notice in plea seeking to resume all weekly markets with all Covid precautions or provide financial assistance to street vendors.

The single judge bench of Justice Rekha Palli has sought response of the Delhi Government on a plea filed by Saptahik Patri Bazar Association, an association of several poor mobile street vendors who hold ‘Weekly Markets’ in several parts of Delhi, once a week popularly known as ‘Som Bazaar’, ‘Mangal Bazaar’, ‘Budh Bazaar’ etc.

The petitioner has prayed that either the Government allows resumption of the weekly market with Covid 19 precautions or in the alternative to provide financial aid of Rs 15,000 per month to every street vendor who organizes weekly markets in Delhi.

Advocates Rajat Wadhwa and Kartik Kumar Aggarwal sought directions to quash the order dated June 13, 2021 passed by the Delhi Disaster Management Committee against the weekly markets.

The plea states that “The petitioner association is aggrieved by the inaction of Respondent, who despite directions of this Court contained in Order dated 03.06.2021, have failed to take any decision on the representation dated 19.05.2021, which had sought to either complete resumption of ‘Weekly Market’ or in the alternative financial assistance for the Poor Street Vendors”.

The petitioner Association has submitted that despite having opened all markets, malls, and other commercial complexes in Delhi, the government has discriminated against the petitioner by ordering that they shall only organize one weekly market’ per week per zone which is arbitrary, discriminatory and made without application of mind.

The matter has been listed for next hearing on August 17, 2021.

Case Title: Saptahik Patri Bazar Association vs GNCTD