Lid on nightlife to go

POKHARA, Sept 27 - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bamdev Gautam on Friday assured entrepreneurs that the decision to shut down restaurants before 11pm would be reviewed to ensure smooth operation of the tourism industry. Gautam, however, said the new decision would not apply to dance restaurants. ...

...government will review the closing time for the restaurant business expect for dance restaurants, but you (hotel entrepreneurs) need to make sure that there will be no place for hooliganism and disturbing of law and order," said Gautam while addressing an inauguration function for the Dashain festival in this resort town.

Gautam's statement came after hotel entrepreneurs complained that the government decision had quite an adverse impact on their tourism-related business establishments. Soon after assuming office, Gautam imposed the new regulation on nightlife businesses, including dance restaurants, pubs and live bands.

Gautam claimed that dance restaurants and pubs were a breeding ground for crime. "Dance restaurants and bars have encouraged youths toward criminal activities--leading society into chaos," Gautam said. "The government, therefore, will not give them permission to operate their obscene business.

He claimed that foreign tourists rarely visit dance restaurants and pubs, but these have become meeting points for youths aged 14 to 20. "There are youths who dance after drinking, and there is sex," he said, adding, "When a youth unwinds regularly in dance restaurants for 15 days, he becomes an addict, and then he enters the criminal world.

To promote tourism, Gautam also said the government could open a red light area for tourists after bringing in a new law in this connection. "For foreigners there can be a place for sex, but it won't be available for Nepalis," he added.

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