Efforts to Control Alcohol Abuse by Enforcing Permit

Sitaram Ojha (Kailai)/ Rojina Rai

If you ever happen to visit Bajura, a remote far western district in Nepal, be aware to obtain the alcohol consumption permit before holding a glass.

Enforced following serious alcoholism problems by the local administration, the apathy towards compliance within a year is becoming a concern.

Like Driving License, or Passport, denizens of Bajura, a remote far western hilly district in Nepal, have Alcohol Consumption card.

The local district administration made the provision mandatory since last year following serious public health issues and social outcry over alcoholism.

All you got to do is pay 500 rupees which is around three and half US Dollars to obtain the card, and yearly renewal.

Driven largely by deep rooted culture, easy access of homemade alcohol and other social factors, alcohol consumption mainly among male is a serious problem in remote areas of the country.

Nepal ranks pretty low globally in terms of per capita alcohol consumption at 1.6 liters per year while top countries have figures as high as 17 liters.

But some areas in Nepal are facing serious issues like fighting, domestic violence and family disputes due to alcoholism.

With the mandatory provision to obtain permit, residents say their lifestyle and daily habits are shifting significantly.

According to Sita Thapa, Deputy Chairperson of Gaumul Rural Municipality in Bajura, the provision implemented in coordination with local government has helped reduce alcohol-related incidents.

Under the provision, an individual is allowed to drink only 180 milliliters of alcohol per day between 6-9 PM.

A person drinking without the card faces strict penalties of 2,000-rupee fine for the first offense, and 7,000 rupees for the second.

The indifference to comply with the provision that had brought positive changes in the society is a concern for many now.

In the first year, 1,354 people acquired the alcohol consumption permit that has details of every occasion the person buys and consumes alcohol.

However, only 280 of them renewed their permit this year.