The Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC) today sealed a mall on which the Passport Seva kendra and a number of business centres were located for non payment of Urban Development Tax by the mall owners.
"Orbit Mall has not been paying UD tax of about Rs 92.5 lakh for the last 7-8 years despite court's orders, recent notices and personal visits of JMC officers, hence action was effected right at 9 am and no one was allowed entry," JMC Deputy Commissioner Ramawatar Gurjar told PTI.
The Mall had seven floors and a number of business centres including the Passport Seva kendra were located on it, Gurjar said.
"The building was locked at all entry points, and those who were present inside were requested to go out till the dues are settled. No force was used, except for a team of JMC officials and employees", he said.
The mall owner was not available for comments.
The Regional Passport Officer Vivek Jeph told PTI that about 1000 customers whose appointment were fixed for paper and electronic work including photography today at the Passport Seva Kendra was not executed as the Mall was sealed and the owner had not notified JMC action to his office.
However, Diplomatic and urgent passports of applicants were prepared at Regional Passport Office by taking immediate measures, Jeph said, adding about 35 passport were finalised and others were given token to attend special camps being organised at Jodhpur, Sikar and Jaipur soon.
Annoyed by JMC action, a large number of people held protest outside the mall demanding opening of public services, the police said.
However, the Jaipur-Ajmer road was blocked for couple of hours due to public protest and parking problem, they said.
