The production of liquor in the country is now actually decreasing, according to Nepal Liquor Production Organization. It has declined by as much as 50 per cent. The credit does not totally go to the anti-liquor campaigns, but also to the shortage of sugarcane. This might be a blessing in disguise given the widespread abuse of alcoholic beverages. Now the figure shows that less liquor is available in the market. In order to wean those who partake of alcohol from their habit or to make them drink moderately, licenses are now a must for selling liquor. However, we find that this requirement has for the most part been forgotten with shops in inner lanes of cities openly selling it.

Then there was a scare when adulterated liquor of some popular breweries took the lives of many and blinded others. This too must have compelled others taking alcohol to think twice before going on a drinking binge. No wonder, despite the slump in liquor production, scarcity of these drinks is not being noticed or is it that hard drinkers are not being very vocal about it. Meanwhile, the state is losing revenue from this very lucrative sector, but most people would not be complaining.