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Kathmandu Tuesday August 28, 2001 Bhadra 12, 2058.
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Restricting alcohol
The agreement reached the other day between
the government and the Maoist women’s wing - All Nepal Women’s Association
(ANWA-Revolutionary) - to control the widespread and indiscriminate consumption of alcohol
in the country deserves a qualified welcome. Qualified because, despite a number of legal
provisions already in place but not effectively implemented, the government is seen to be
kneeling before the Maoist women’s demands. Qualified also because, a total ban on
liquor advertisements could turn out to be very misplaced as television and radio
advertisements, beamed in from countries outside Nepal, will almost certainly take over
where the Nepali mass media leaves off. This apart, the economic impact could be severe
although this of course will have to be absorbed and alternative sources of revenue found.
We certainly would not like to be known as a country which survives on the taxes paid by
the makers of liquor.
The unrestricted sale of alcoholic products
to children and the fact that many of the alcoholic drinks outlets were located near
places of worship or educational institutions had to end. It is also a matter of
satisfaction that no one under the age of 24 will be allowed to drink nor anyone under 21
allowed to man a liquor shop. These are some of the positive points of the agreements. The
more so as the consumption of liquor has doubled, thanks to the foreign investment
resulting from the liberal and open policies adopted since the restoration of democracy.
It is yet to be seen whether the government can really limit the sale of liquor, but it
must try earnestly and honestly to implement the relevant parts of the agreement so that
the doubting Thomas can be won over. These people think and believe that once the
government begins implementing the agreement, it will only result in an increase in
illegal activity. The five breweries and some 30 distilleries, that have been producing
different kinds of alcoholic products, might find that the going is not as smooth as in
the past. Also suffering with them will be the Nepalese media and advertising agencies.
The government might have done immensely better if there was also agreement on phasewise
implementation. Without such a staggered approach, there could be a sudden and substantial
fall in the sale of alcoholic drinks – as feared by the industry. Thousands will be
rendered jobless and it will become the responsibility of the government to mop up this
unemployment.
The agreement must be taken a right step on the whole as the
stress is more on restriction of liquor sale than on a complete ban as demanded by the
Maoist women’s wing. Had successive governments shown more social consciousness about
the sale and consumption of liquor, the present government would not have been vulnerable
to the kind of pressure brought to bear by the ANWA.
Now it remains to be seen how effectively it will implement the agreement, and how soon.
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