CAIT opposes decision to ban diesel vehicles entry into Delhi

New Delhi, June 23

A trade body on Thursday condemned the Delhi government's decision to restrict entry of diesel vehicles into the city from November 1 to February 28 next year.

"This decision of Delhi government will kill the city's trade at the time when festival and wedding season will be on high pace. The Delhi traders will strongly oppose this draconian and 'Tughlaqi Farman' of the Delhi government," Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said.

He alleged that the decision reflects the "anti-trader" attitude of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Noting that Delhi is the largest distribution centre of the country and the revenue of Delhi government is largely dependent upon trade activities, he said that if the order is implemented, there will be a major road block for the transportation of goods in Delhi from other states and from Delhi to other states.

"It will halt all kinds of business activities in Delhi resulting in major disruption of trade and huge loss of revenue to the Delhi government," Khandelwal said.

Seeking the Centre's intervention, he said that traders of Delhi will not accept this decision and will launch an agitation against the Delhi government.

CAIT said it will call a meet of Delhi traders next week to decide the further course of action.