DELHI HINDUSTANI MERCHANTILE ASSOCIATION

History 2000 to Till Date

THE 21ST CENTURY DHMA

Association 106th Annual General Meeting was organized on 18th September 1999 in the National Club, Delhi- 6 with President FICCI the Chief Guest, Chairman Standing Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi Shri Shanti Desai the President and in the presence of Shri Satish Khandelwal, member Delhi Legislative Assembly.

‘Chaudhavi Ka Chand’ : Representing the Mugal Heritage in Chandni Chowk ‘Chaudhavi Ka Chand’ festival centered in Chandni Chowk was celebrated in a very attractive manner on 6.9.1998 with the tireless efforts by Member of Parliament Shri Vijay Goel, Association made desired efforts in these celebrations.

It is a matter of pride for Business Community that General Secretary of Association Shri Suresh Bindal was honored with ‘Indraprastha Agraratan’ for his exemplary contributions. He was in honored by Union Minister for Information and Technology Shri Arun Jaitely.

Shri Suresh Bindal was honored with ‘Cooperative Excellence’ award by Delhi Government for his outstanding contribution in the field of cooperatives during 47th Cooperative week.

Shri M.M. Agarwal newly elected Rajya Sabha member was welcomed in Association on 27th April 2000.

DHMA donated rupees One Lac twenty one thousand to Prime Minister Relief fund to help the drought affected people of Gujarat and many other states of India.

Innocent pilgrims were heinously killed by terrorist during Amarnath Yatra. In the leadership of Delhi Hindustani Merchantile Association and on call of leading trade organization of Chandni Chowk on 4th August 2000 trade establishment were collectively kept closed against this killing.

107th Year: Moving towards its destination Delhi Hindustani Merchantile Association celebrated its 107th Annual Function on 14th September 2000 in National Club, it was inaugurated by Honorable Lieutenant Governor Shri Vijay Kapoor.

The oath ceremony of newly elected executive committee was held on 23rd September 2000 in Association Auditorium. Shri Chander Mohan Grover, President and Shri Suresh Bindal, General Secretary with other executive members took oath.

The newly elected executive committee was welcomed by Shri Dharmik Leela Committee in Parade Ground, Delhi on 30th September 2000.

A workshop to train the Panch was organized in association on 9.11.200 which was addressed by Shri P.M. Bakshi Ex- Member Law Commission and Panch System Expert and Shri Ashok Chaparia, Advocate.

A Delegation of association in the leadership of President Shri Chander Mohan Grover met Union Minister to discuss new Textile Policy and gave him a memorandum requesting them to solve the misunderstanding created amongst traders due to new textile policy.

‘Trading in Open Economy’ traders conference was held in FICCI on 15th December 2000, Central Cabinet Minister Shri Niwas Prasad, many senior traders and industrialists took part in it. Shri Chadra Mohan Grover speaking on behalf of Association listed the shortcomings of liberalization policy and said this is not in favour of the association.

When the whole nation was celebration Republic Day on 26th January 2001 people in Gujarat were faced with Earth Quake a severe natural calamity. Association donated Rs. 23 lac to Prime Minister Relief Fund and handed over the cheque to Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his residence.

Delhi government announced the removal of sales tax from Silk Fabric in April 2001. Association congratulated Delhi Government on this decision and expressed gratitude towards Chief Minister Smt. Shiela Dikshit and Finance Minister Shri Mahender Singh Sathi.

On the 108th Annual General Meeting held on 8th September 2001 concluded with the prestigious presence of Justice Shri D.P. Wadhwa as Chief Guest and Shri Sushil Ansal, President PHD as honorable guest in National Club.

Shri Suresh Bindal was honored with Honorary ‘Agrabhushan’ honour for his contributions towards social service by Vaisha Sangathan Sabha, Sadar Bazar in October 2001.

Delhi Hinduatani Merchantile Association took a appreciable step by giving Group Accident Insurance to the owners of member firm for two years in just Rs. 85/-.

The Half Yearly Session of dedicated to Textile Traders who have selflessly served the association for years was held on 15th March 2002. These honorable traders Shri Brij bhushan Saran- M/s Meenakshi Textile Corporation, Shri Chiranjee Lal Ji Mehra- M/s C.P. Agency,  Lala Parmanand Ji Goel- M/s Murarilal Parmanand, Shri Ram Kumar Ji Maheshwari- M/s Lacchi Ram Devi Prasad, Lala Ugarsen Singhal- M/s Mangat Rai Ugarsen, Shri Mahender Kumar Bansal- M/a Mahender Kumar & Co., Sardar Prahalad Singh Ji- M/s Prahalad Singh & Sons, Shri Chirajee Lal Ji Chaudhary- M/s Chirajee Lal Chaudhary & Sons, shri Prem Chand Gadodia- M/s Kirori Mal Prem chand, Shri Shadilal Kapoor- M/s Chunnilal Kapoor & Son  were honored by presenting Shawl, Corsets and fruits.

An agitation against the Delhi Electricity Board by the traders in the leadership of association was held at Town Hall, Chandni Chowk on 28th May 2001. MLA Shri Prahalad Singh Sahani and MCD Councilor Shri Brij Mohan Sharma from Chandni Chowk came to the association and assured traders that permanent solution problems related to electricity will be done.

 Sewa Sadan Bhawan was constructed by Yarn Traders opposite Apollo Hospital with the aim to provide boarding facilities to the patient who is being treated in Apollo hospital.

Workshop on New Challenges in Agencies Business: To train the youth entering textile trade a workshop was organized in association auditorium on 31.7.2002. Shri Bharat Singh Gupta, Shri Suryakant Jaipuria, Shri Suresh Bindal were some of the prominent people who addressed the workshop. The success of the workshop was appreciated at large.

109th Annual General meeting was held on 9.9.2002 in the prestigious presence of Smt. Shiela Dikshit Chief Minister of Delhi as Chief Guest and Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad Central Minister for Law & Justice.

Delhi Hinduatani Merchantile Association started a new tradition in 2002 under which in the beginning of every second year eminent trade personalities who have worked for growth and served the trade and traders will be honored with Life Time Achievement Award. Lala Ugrasen Singhal who had devoted his whole life for the welfare of association was the first person to be honored with Life Time Achievement Award.

Shri Suresh Bindal, General Secretary of association was elected member of Governing Body of Indian Council of Arbitration unopposed.

Honorable Justice Lokeshwar Prasad appreciated the working of association and addressed on ‘Consumer and their Rights’ in the half yearly session held on 8th March 2003.
 
A seminar was organized in Vishnu Bazar Cloth Market to give information about ‘Value Addae Tax’ to the traders.

A delegation association in the leadership of President Shri Chandra Mohan Grover and Shri Suresh Bindal, General Secretary gave a memorandum to Central Textile Minister Shri Shehnawaz Hussain. Shri Shehnawaz Hussain said his aim is to prepare Textile Industry to face the challenges after 2004.

Association has always worked for the welfare and to save the interest of Trade and Traders and kept giving them guidelines. To guide the traders about health, DHMA organized Health Awareness Program in which Specialist Doctors from Pushpavati Singhania Research Institute address the traders on health issues.

Tax Expert Shri Subhash Lakhotia addressed the traders informing them about new tax provisions on 3rd July 2003 in association auditorium.

110th Annual General Meeting of Delhi Hindustani Merchantile Association was grandly organized on 11th September 2003 in Shah Auditorium, Civil Lines, Delhi in the distinguished presence of Delhi Power Minister Shri Ajay Maken, Ex- Mayor Shri Shanti Desai, Chairman Standing Committee MCD Shri Ram Babu Sharma and Chandni Chowk Councilor Shri Brij Mohan Sharma. On the occasion magnificent Fashion Show was presented by M/s Dalmia Saree on Saree theme and by C.T.C. on fancy suits which was appreciated by all.

Labour and Industry Minister of Delhi Shri Mangat Ram Singhal came to association on 8th January 2004 to discuss what reforms are required in law for cordial and harmonious relations between the traders and workers. On 29th January 20004 Health and Social Welfare Minister of Delhi Shri Yoganand Shashtri was also welcomed in the Association.

Delhi Municipal Corporation officers gave information about Property Tax and Unit Area System with the support of traders and in Association Auditorium.

111th Annual General Meeting of DHMA was held in the prestigious presence of Union Minister Shri Vijay Goel on 16.9.2004 in National Club and the oath ceremony of the newly elected executive committee took place in Association auditorium on 23.9.2004.

Shri Brij Bhushan Saran who has been the President and also the General Secretary of the Association was honored with Life-Time achievement Award 2004 for his incredible contribution to DHMA.

The Half yearly session was organized on 19th March 2005 in Association auditorium.

Traders opposed the VAT imposed by Delhi Government on 1st April 2005 and expressed their agitation be writing a letter to Chief Minster of Delhi Smt. Shiela Dikshit. Traders held demonstrations, rallies and protests against VAT and warned the Government to take back VAT.

To help the people affected by fierce Sonami in Southern Parts of India on the call of DHMA traders collected the money and gave a cheque of Rs. 254652/- to Honorable Shri Banwari Lal Joshi, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi.

A 20 member delegation came to India with the message ‘Hum Hai Aman ke Pakshdhar Shanti Hamara Sandesh’. Textile traders infinitively welcomed the delegation from Pakistan in Association and honored them.

Association invited Income Tax expert Shri Subash Lakhotia to give complete knowledge about Income Tax to the traders and detailed discussion on Income Tax was held. An Income Tax help centre was started in Association office on 15.6.2006 in the prestigious presence of Income Tax Commissioner Shri M.C. Joshi, Income Tax officer Shri D.K. Verma and Smt. Parminder Kaur Additional Income Tax Commissioner.

112th Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on 8th September 2005 in National Club with Shri B.L. Joshi as Chief Guest. In the meeting resolution related to VAT, renewal of Trade License, Electricity problems, Fringe Benefit Tax etc were passed.

Delhi GPO appointed Association President Shri Tilak Raj Kapoor for the year 2005-06. He also became the member of Delhi VAT Advisory Committee formed by Delhi government.  On Associations strong demand of name of Delhi Main Metro station was changed to Chandni Chowk Metro Station.

Shri Arun Singhania, General Secretary of DHMA was appointed member of Indian Council of Arbitration Governing Body 2005-08.

113th Annual General Meeting of the Association concluded grandly, Lala Chiranjee Lala Mehra became the third recipient of Life Time Achievement Award. In the 113th Adhiveshan held on 10th August 2006 in National Club, Delhi. Ex- Union Minister Shri Vijay Goel, Shri Jai Kishan Sharma Chairman Standing Committee and many prestigious people were present in the adhiveshan.

In the Binneal elections held this year Shri Shadi Lal Kapoor was elected the President and Shri Suresh Bindal was elected the General Secretary. The newly elected executive committee took oath on 18th August 2006 in Association Auditorium.

A conference to discuss the smooth electricity supply in Chandni Chowk was organized in Association Auditorium on 15th December 2006 in the presence of senior BSES Officers gave assurance that electricity supply will be improved.

Delhi Hinduatani Merchantile Associatio has center for activities providing service, security, protection to trade and traders for a very long period. But unfortunately on 16th February 2007 morning the roof of historic association auditorium fell down. No one was hurt as it was a holiday on the occasion of Mahashivratri Festival.

A committee was formed to construct the auditorium. Members were appealed trough a written letter to give donation for construction with open heart.

DHMA constructed a Police Booth in Bagh Diwar to provide security to this crowded area and dedicated it to public in February 2007.

Executive Committee of Association welcomed member of Association Shri Suman Kumar Gupta on his victory in MCD elections and becoming the Councilor from Chandni Chowk.  

The Half Yearly meeting was held on 8th June 2007 in Jogiwara, Nai Sarak, Delhi.

114th Annual General Meeting was held in National Club on 8th September 2007. President of Association Shri Shadi Lal Kapoor presided over the Adhiveshan.

President Shri Shadi Lal Kapoor and General Secretary Shri Suresh Bindal on 17th December 2007 met Shri Vijender Gupta, Chairman Standing Committee MCD to discuss the Municipal Corporation of Delhi new policy on Rikshaw, hand pushed trolly etc.

Historic Event in Association History: The renovated Association Bhawan equipped with modern technology was inaugurated on 7th January 2008. The ‘Seth Ramswaroop Sabhagar’ was inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Kapil Sibbal. ‘Chiranji Lal Chaudhary Prashahnik Kaksh’ and ‘Seth Jaggi Mal Singhania Mantrana Kaksh’ was inaugurated by Shri Vijender gupta, Chairman Standing Committee MCD.

Shri Kapil Sibbal on the occasion said Education, Health and Trade are three things important in human life. He assured his full support for the redevelopment of Chandni Chowk. He also appealed to the traders to contribute in the growth and development of the country and make it a ‘Grand Market’.

Shri Arun Singhania, Senior Vice President of association was nominated special invitee of National Executive Committee of FICCI, the apex industrial and trade body.

 Delhi Hinduatani Merchantile Association marching ahead with welfare of textile traders celebrated its 115th Adhivation on 31st July 2008 in National Club with the prestigious presence of Chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Shiela Dikshit as Chief Guest, Delhi Government Finance Minister Dr. Ashok Kumar Walia, Leader of the opposition in Delhi Assembly Shri Jagdish Mukhi, different trade leaders, heads of different trade associations and members of DHMA.

The prestigious Life Time Achievement Award for the year 2008 was given to Lala Ram Kumar Maheshwari for his dedicated contribution to the Association.

Shri Shadi Lal Kapoor was reelected the President and Shri Suresh Bindal was reelected the General Secretary in 2008. The Grand Oath Ceremony of newly elected executive committee was held on 7th August 2008 in Association Auditorium.

To create public awareness towards security, cooperation and convenience under the Eye-Ear scheme of Delhi Police, Delhi Hindustani Merchantile Association distributed uniform-shirts to the laborers employed in textile markets and registered with Kotwali Police Station in the presence of senior Delhi Police officers on the occasion of Makar Sankrant, 14th January 2014.

Government of India making desired amendment in CRPC section 309 and 41 gave right to Delhi Police to decide whether to arrest the criminals or not whose crime is within the 7 year punishment. DHMA organized a seminar with the officers of Delhi Bar Association to review this issue on 13th February 2009 an Association Auditorium.

In the prestigious presence of Environment Secretary Shri J.J. Dadu, I.A.S. a discussion was organized to obtain detailed knowledge about ban on plastic bags imposed by Government to conserve environment on 19th February 2009. In the discussion traders were made aware that that to conserve environment plastic bags should not be used, only bio-gradable polythene of 40 micron standard should be used.

Shri Suresh Bindal, General Secretary of the association was unopposed elected member in Governing Body of Indian Council of Arbitration.

Newly elected Delhi Municipal Corporation Standing Committee Chairman of Shri Ram Kishan Singhal, Mayor Dr. Kanwar Sain, member Shri Suman Gupta were welcomed by DHMA in association auditorium in 15th May 2009. Shri Ram Kishan Singhal assured the members that trade license of traders will be updated in every three years.

In the Lok Sabha elections 2009 Indian National Congress won successfully. DHMA delegation congratulated Shri Jai Prakash Agarwal, MP from North East Delhi on 22nd May 2009 and Shri Kapil Sibbal MP from Chandni Chowk for the second on 1st June 2009 at their residence.

116th Adhiveshan of DHMA was held on Thursday 17th September 2009 in National Club, Delhi. President of the association Shri Shadilal Kapooor presided over the annual general meeting; Chief Guests were Smt. Renuka Gupta Chairman MCD City Zone and Shri Suman Kumar Gupta member Standing Committee MCD.

Workshop for positive synopsis on ‘Present Needs of Readymade Industry and Fabric Suppliers and our Services’ were organized on 21st January 2010. Brands like Black Berry, Cantabil, Sparky Group, Double tiger, Kutons, Fleu etc shared their experiences on the subjects and gave guidelines.

Newly elected Mayor of Delhi Shri Prithvi Raj Sahani was warmly welcomed by association on 21st May 2010.

Delhi Municipal Corporation announced the signage policy in Chandni Chowk. According to this policy uniform sigh boards with dimensions 0.75 meter wide and 2.5 meter high could be displayed without any charges. A fee has to be paid for sign-boards more than these dimensions.

Tax expert Shri Subhash Lakhotia was invited in the Association to give knowledge about Direst Tax Code 2009 to the traders.

117th Annual General Meeting was held on 18th August 2010 in Community Hall, Kuccha Bagh, Delhi with Mayor Shri Prithviraj Sahani as Chief Guest.

The prestigious Life-Time achievement award for the year 2010 was given to Shri Chiranjee Lal Chaudhary for his selfless services to the textile trade and traders. He was the fifth person to be honored with this award for their remarkable services to the textile market.

Shri Suresh Bindal was elected the President and Shri Vinod Sharma the General Secretary in the 2010 elections. Oath ceremony of newly elected executive committee was held in National Club on 26th August 2010.

Introductory meeting to familiarize the newly elected executive members with legislation and rules of Delhi Hindustani Merchantile Association was held on 23rd September 2010 in Association Auditorium. The workshop was addressed by President Shri Suresh Bindal.

Shri Suresh Bindal, DHMA President was honored with Co-operative Excellence Award by Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Shiela Dikshit in the 57th Co-operative week

Shri Suresh Bindal, President, Shri Vinod Aharma, General Secretary and Shri Ashok Khurana, Secretary addressed seminar organized to discuss the details of Panch Pranali system held on 10th November 2010 in Association Auditorium.

In accordance with Chandni Chowk Redevelopment plan entry for Motor Vehicles and Cycle Rikshaw was banned in Chandni Chowk.

In the presence of Shri Satender Garg, Assistance Commissioner, Delhi Traffic Police discussion on Chandni Chowk Redevelopment Plan was held. In the discussion he said that development of the area is necessary but with the consent and approval of stake holders.

Textile traders opposed and organized a grand demonstration on historical Gnata Ghar, Chandni Chowk against the five percent VAT imposed by Delhi Government of Suiting and Furnishing fabric.

118th Annual General meeting was held on 25th August 2011 in Marvadi Dharamshal, Jogiwara in the presence of Standing Committee member Shri Suman Kumar Gupta. After the meeting traders took a rally with a huge National Flag to Ramlila Maidan to give support to Anna Hazare against corruption.

Conference during the Delhi Police week was held on 17th February 2012 in the presence of ACP Kotwali Smt. Bimlesh Yadav. Traders were apprised and discussion was held on the working and presentation of Delhi Police.

In the 84th Annual general meeting of FICI the apex body of trade and industry Shri Vinod Sharma, General Secretary and executive members of association Shri Ram Kishan Sharma, Shri Yogesh Bansal, Shri Sandeep Jain, Shri Ashok Agarwal, Shri Jagdish Bhutani took part.

The Half yearly meeting was held on 12th April 2012 in Association Auditorium. President Shri suresh Bindal discussed the economy and different aspects of textile trade like Textile Men’s Wears, Ladies Wear etc.

Newly elected MCD councilors Smt. Surekha Gupta from Chandni Chowk and Shri Imran Hussain from Ballimaran were warmly welcomed in DHMA Auditorium.

It is noteworthy that in the leadership of DHMA traders were constantly opposing VAT imposed on textile by Delhi Government through agitations, demonstrations and burning the effigy of Vat. Finally Delhi Government took back VAT. A delegation from Association met Smt. Shiela Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi at her residence on 8th June 2012 to thank her rolling back VAT on textile.

119th Annual General Meeting was held on 8th august 2012 in Nigam Rangshala, Town Hall, Delhi, it was inaugurated by Mayor of Delhi Smt. Meera Agarwal and in the prestigious presence of Chief Guest was MLA and Chairman Rural Development Board Shri Mangat Ram Singhal, MLA and Chairman North district Development Committee Shri Rajesh Jain, Ex- MP and President Bhartiya Udyog and Vyapar MAndal Shri Shyam Bihari Mishra.

Shri Tilak Raj Kapoor was the sixth eminent personality to be honored with Lifetime achievement award by DHMA in the year 2012 for his remarkable contributions to textile trade.

Shri Suresh Bindal was elected the President and Shri Vinod Sharma General Secretary in the biennial elections 2012-2014 with large majority. The oath ceremony of newly Executive Committee was held in the presence of MLA Shri Prahalad Singh Sawhney, Joint Police Commissioner Central Shri Taj Hasan and many distinguished people.

A delegation from association in the leadership of President Shri Suresh Bindal met Cabinet Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Bansal and requested him to give his support to trader’s problems and support solving the problems.

Membership Certificate: Association started giving colored, attractive and laminated membership certificates to its members from 2012 onwards. The certificates were given in calendar form before and from 1998 they were give in two color pasted on board, the new look given in 2012 was appreciated by members.

Security of women working in Textile Market was assured through a code of conduct formed by association and members were appealed to follow this code of conduct to provide security and respect to women.

In-Fashion 2013: The biggest exhibition of textile in South Asia was held in Gore Gaon, Mumbai from 20 to 22 March 2013. A hight power delegation with President Suresh Bindal took part in it.

A DHMA delegation in the leadership of Shri Suresh Bindal met newly appointed President of Bhartiya Janta Party Shri Rajnath Singh on 9th February 2013 and congratulated him.

A Delegation met Shri Vijay Goel, Delhi President Bhartiya Janta Pary on 8th Match 2013 at Delhi BJP office 14, Pant Marg.

In the leadership of Shri Suresh Bindal met chief Minister of Delhi Smt. Shiela Dikshit and gave her a memorandum to obtain her support for textile trade and traders.

Online Trade Promotion, E-Commerce: In the changing business scenario a conference–cum-workshop was organized in association with E-Web on issues such as ‘How to enter Online Trade, Retail Export’ etc on 8th august 2013 in DHMA Auditorium. New youth traders were benefited by this conference.

Shri Suresh Bindal was nominated the Chairman of Delhi Pradesh Trade Association, an apex body of walled city traders.

120th Annual General Meeting was held in the Meeting Hall of Town Hall, Delhi on 20th August 2013 in the distinguished presence of Shri Ashwini Kumar, chief Editor Punjab Kesari.

A delegation of newly elected Executive members of DHMA in the leadership of President Shri Suresh Bindal met Chief Minister Smt. Shiela Dikshit in her office at Delhi Secretariat to take her blessings. Smt. Dikshit gave her heartiest congratulations to the Executive members of DHMA and hosted feast for them. The delegations discussed Chandni chowk Development Plan, converting Gandhi Ground Parking into Multilevel parking, removing VAT from suiting and furnishing, views on JST. Chief Minister gave positive assurance on all the issues.

Shri Suresh Bindal became the President and Shri Vinod Sharma General Secretary in biennial elections 2014-16 unopposed. The executive committee was elected unanimously by the members.