Himalayan News Service

Ramechhap, January 26

Liquor dealers and consumers express their dissatisfaction after the declaration of Manthali Bazaar as an alcohol-free zone.

The all party meeting of district government offices chiefs, businessmen, journalists, senior security officials, locals intellectuals and political party members on January 18 announced the district headquarter Manthali, as an

alcohol-free zone. Liquor business was to be prohibited in Manthali Bazaar.

The meeting, held on December 18 under the supervision of CDO Chudamani Basyal of Ramechhap, declared that liquor that had entered the village was to be finished and further dealing in liquor was going to be prohibited. "Keeping in mind the security problem and prostitution that liquor could create in Ramechhap, the place has been announced an alcohol free-zone," said Basyal.

However, hotel entrepreneurs in Mathali Bazaar blame the decision makers for taking away their livelihood.

According to the Chambers of Commerce, Ramechhap, there are 60 small and big hotels whereas there are 192 hotels in the whole district selling both local and export-quality drinks.

Out of these, only 22 hotels inside the district headquarter and 30 hotels outside the district headquarter are selling alcohol with official permission, as stated by the monitory and account control office.