Protests in Delhi could put business worth over ₹400 crore at risk every day, CAIT said on Sunday. The group warned that ongoing rallies against voter list revisions might cause a total loss of ₹4,000 crore over ten days. These disruptions currently affect many sectors, including retail, transport, and hotels.
CAIT said that Delhi's estimated average daily business turnover of approximately ₹2,200 crore makes the commercial ecosystem particularly vulnerable to disruptions.
Protest in the national capital against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters' list has potential to cause loss of ₹4,000 crore over ten days to business, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said on Sunday.
"Prolonged disruptions could put business transactions worth over ₹400 crore at risk every day, with the cumulative impact potentially reaching ₹4,000 crore over ten days," Praveen Khandelwal, Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk and Secretary General of CAIT said. Various political parties along with youths are holding rallies mainly in and around Central Delhi affecting businesses in areas such as Connaught Place and Janpath.
He said that Delhi's estimated average daily business turnover of approximately ₹2,200 crore makes the capital's commercial ecosystem particularly vulnerable to disruptions. "Even a 10 per cent decline in business activity would affect transactions worth ₹220 crore daily, rising to ₹330 crore at 15 per cent and ₹440 crore at 20 per cent," he said while giving an estimate of the potential impact over ten days could approach ₹4,000 crore if disruptions persist at the higher end of this range.
Estimated Losses
"These figures represent an indicative estimate of business activity at risk and not a verified accounting of actual losses," he clarified.
Further, the impact is not confined to retail and wholesale trade. Transporters, logistics operators, warehouses, restaurants, hotels, street vendors, delivery services and numerous ancillary businesses also face declining activity. The resulting pressure on these interconnected sectors threatens employment, daily earnings and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend directly or indirectly on Delhi's commercial economy.
"October to January is among the most crucial periods for India's trading community, covering major festivals, wedding-related purchases and heightened consumer spending. Disruptions during these months can have consequences extending well beyond individual markets, affecting seasonal incomes, employment, business confidence and the broader economic cycle," Khandelwal said.
Viewed in Isolation
He emphasised that while the Constitution protects freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), as well as the right to assemble peacefully and without arms under Article 19(1)(b), Article 19(1)(g) protects the right to practise any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business, subject to reasonable restrictions permitted by the Constitution.
"The exercise of one fundamental right should not be viewed in isolation from its impact on the lawful activities, economic security and livelihoods of others," he said.