Civil Mall store owners demand rent relief

Kathmandu: Store owners of Civil Mall organized a protest demanding to get relief on rent during the lockdown on Wednesday.

The business owners organized a peaceful protest for two hours. They demanded the Civil Mall management for the relief. With the ease in lockdown, many shops were opened under the strict surveillance of the police and other government entities. However, due to less footfall, they have not been able to make a profit.

Amidst all this crisis, small businesses are also facing the pressure of tax payment from the government, principle, and interest payment from banks, payroll, and store rent.

The store owners collectively handed over their keys to the management on June 16 after the mall management pressurized them to do the rent payment.