Who knows better than the politicians for making the proverbial tall promises. Night business entrepreneurs not only seem to be ready to be next in the league, but also prepared to make them eat crow. Since the recent crackdown on dance bars and cabin restaurants, the operators have well mastered the art of evading midnight raids. But their audacity is more inspiring in that they now demand that the government liberate their business. The Night Business Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (NBEAN) has asked the home ministry to provide legal recognition to their enterprises and in return they promise to abide by the code of conduct (CoC).

Home Minister Bamdev Gautam had directed entrepreneurs, all and sundry, to stop night business after 10 pm, citing security reasons. However, the measures he introduced hardly served the intended purpose, except sending even the unscrupulous businessmen on a tax paying spree to get the needed licence. Now, all of them can sell liquor, and operate night bars even if they have to give the impression of pulling down the shutters. In enforcing the rules, there is many a slip between lip and cup. This is in part also because the government has not clearly defined what is ‘obscene’ and what is not and what is ‘moral’ and what is

‘immoral’. A perfect a breeding ground for all kinds of abuse of authority.