Due to the present strict laws on the consumption of alcohol in Bihar, Nepal witnesses 50 percent sale hike. According to the Nepalese wine manufacturers, the demand of alcohol has increased to the extent, leaving factories not able to fulfill the demand. This has led to the establishment of at least 20 new factories while the older factories have doubled their usual production.
According to the wine makers, the ban on alcohol in Bihar is the reason why factory that ran for 12 hours until now, is running 24 hours.
With a 30-50 percent increase in alcohol sale, Nepal government seems to be taking the advantage of growth. Realising the fact that demand of alcohol will keep on increasing over time, Nepal government had increased tax on liquor by 137.5%. So far 40% of Nepal’s total revenue is coming from the business of liquor only. Ramadhar Prasad Sarraf, president of Birganj Madira Mahasangh, said that “there has been a huge increase in the sale of alcohol. People from Bihar are coming here to drink and even liquor along with them. Earlier if 10 thousand liquor was sold in a day earlier, then now more than 17 thousand liquor is sold.” Sarraf also thanked Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for this.
However, Sanghiya Samajwadi Forum Nepal (SSFN) lawmaker Gyanendra Yadav has said that Nepal is preparing for liquor ban. He said that in the next 6-7 months, prohibition of liquor ban will be imposed in the region.
Yadav praised Bihar and said, “Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has done a great good job. Taking inspiration from him, we are also planning to prohibit alcohol in the state.”
Further, Gyanendra said that a considerable crowd from Bihar has been coming to Nepal in seek of liquor. While on one hand the revenue has shook, simultaneously the crime has increased as well. He said that keeping in mind the law and order, Nepal is preparing to remove alcohol shops from the border and bring it within two kilometers of border.
