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The Delhi Government today informed the Delhi High Court that the Government has taken a decision to allow weekly markets to operate in the capital city with effect from Aug 9, 2021. In view of the same the Court disposed of a plea seeking directions to the government to resume weekly markets in the city.

The single judge bench of Justice Rekha Palli, however, warned that the vendors must ensure to get themselves vaccinated in order to prevent a third wave of Covid-19.

The petition filed by Saptahik Patri Bazar Association had sought a direction to the Delhi Government to either resume the weekly markets in the city with Covid-19 precautions or to provide financial assistance of Rs. 15000 per month to each vendor organizing street markets within the jurisdiction of the Government.

The petitioners had argued that though the government had opened all markets, malls and other commercial complexes in Delhi, it has discriminated against the petitioner by ordering that they shall only organize one weekly market per week per zone. 

Such a decision of the government was said to be “discriminatory, arbitrary, whimsical and made without application of mind.”

The petition read, “The petitioner association is aggrieved by the inaction of Respondent, who despite directions of this Court contained in Order dated June 03, 2021, have failed to take any decision on the representation dated May 19, 2021, which had sought to either complete resumption of weekly market, or in the alternative provide financial assistance for the poor street vendors."

Advocates Rajat Wadhwa and Kartik Kumar Aggarwal appeared for the petitioner Association.

[Edited by Shreya Agarwal]

Case Title: Saptahik Patri Bazar Association vs GNCTD