The tenants claim that the management had previously agreed to collect rents on space that they hired upon completion of all infrastructure-related works and launch of facilities like food court and movie theaters. [break]"But now the management is asking for rent of the period since we hired the space although various facilities have not come into operation and construction works are not complete," they said.
The protest launched by tenants has received support of individual owners, who have bought space from the management.
"The management said that the mall will have cinema halls, gaming zones, a food court and many other facilities while renting or selling the space. But it has failed to keep the promise even after four months of inauguration of the mall," said Ashok Bajracharya, the co-coordinator of the struggle committee.
Bajracharya said the management has started collecting rents but tenants have resisted the move citing all facilities, as promised earlier, have to first come into operation.
"We started protesting after the management barred us from opening our shops on Saturday when an entertainment program was held at the mall," said Bajracharya.
However, Niraj Khadka, operation manager of the mall, said there was no rental dispute between the management and tenants.
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