KATHMADNU, March 17: Major shopping malls and complexes in Kathmandu remained closed on Tuesday in protest against Monday’s raids by the Department of Revenue Investigations (DRI) on a number of outlets in New Road area on charges of tax evasion. [break]
Business leaders said the closure is against the increasing government intervention in businesses.
“The shutdown is protest against the growing state intervention in private sectors’ business activities, said Surendra Bir Malakar, president of Nepal Chamber of Commerce.
However, Malakar, who has been a vocal critic of the recent DRI raids, said that the business community and the government are holding talks on Tuesday to find an amicable solution of the problem. “We have been invited to the Ministry of Finance for talks,” Malakar said.
But, DRI Director General Tanka Mani Sharma said there is no need to talk with businessmen since the department was acting as per the law.
