NEW DELHI: The Group of Ministers (GoM) has asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the Delhi police to submit in writing to the Supreme Court-appointed Monitoring Committee that it would not be possible to carry out the sealing drive from November 2 keeping in view the sensitive law and order situation of the Capital. This decision was taken at the GoM's emergency meeting held here on Wednesday evening.

Headed by Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, it also asked the Union Urban Development Ministry to file a special mention application in the Supreme Court drawing its attention to this matter and seeking relief for traders till January 31. Taking stock of the disruptions caused by agitating traders and incidents of violence in the city, the GoM felt that the situation was serious and warranted some remedial action. It felt that no such action should be taken that could further instigate traders into getting violent or taking law into their hands. The GoM also decided to meet on Thursday.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi Commissioner, Ashok Nigam, and Delhi Police Commissioner, K.K. Paul, who were present at the meeting, informed the GoM that the situation was tense in various parts of the Capital. Keeping in mind the vitiated atmosphere, they said, it would not be advisable to carry out the drive from Thursday as directed by the Monitoring Committee.

It was informed that the situation was quite explosive and the traders, provoked by political party representatives and other anti-social elements, could take to the streets leading to violence in the city. The GoM directed the Urban Development Ministry to approach the Supreme Court with a special petition on Thursday pleading that the matter be heard urgently and seek relief for the 45,000-odd traders who have filed affidavits.

The Ministry had approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday but the matter did not come up for hearing due to its pre-occupation of the court with some other important matters. Union Urban Development Minister Jaipal Reddy, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Ajay Maken and Delhi Lieutenant Governor B.L. Joshi attended.

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