The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday approved changes to the city's Master Plan - in a move to provide relief to traders hit by the sealing drive.

The proposed amendments in the Master Plan include -- increasing Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of local shopping complexes (LSCs) from existing 180 per cent to 300 per cent, and regularising agricultural godowns on 12-metre wide roads.

The sealing drive is on against business establishments using residential areas for commercial purposes without paying conversion charges.

According to the proposed amendments, there will be a reduction in conversion charge penalties from existing 10 times to two times.

A statement from the development authority said that under these amendments, commercial activity in the basements will be allowed in all commercial areas "subject to payment of requisite charges without any discrimination".

The decision was taken at a meeting headed by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, who is chairman of DDA.

"The board has approved these changes. They will now be put in the public domain for three days and a meeting will be called after that," DDA member and BJP MLA Vijender Gupta told .