Such unlicensed manufacturer continues to produce a large quantity of alcohol without paying any tax but the authorities could not care less. Dozens of taverns in every bazaar illegally produce thousands of liters of liquor daily with a single village in Siraha producing hundreds of thousands of liters daily.
These taverns using slightly advanced version of traditional domestic production technique rob the state of around a million rupees daily in taxes in Siraha alone, according to the officials.
Similarly, sale of the Sophie brand, banned by the authorities after many died due to its consumption last year, also continues. The licensed manufacturer did not withdraw the product from the market despite the ban and continues to clear its hidden stock worth millions of rupees, says Kamlesh Yadav of Golbazaar.
Production and sale of such illegal liquor, besides evading millions in tax, also poses a grave health threat. The manufacturers use urea to make the liquor strong and to maximize yield from the raw materials making it undrinkable. “Such alcohol affects heart and liver sooner than other alcoholic drinks,” says Dr Pashupati Pradhan of Lahan.
The people involved in the trade say that they will continue to do so until the government provides an alternative livelihood. Siraha police chief Ramesh Kharel blames the indolence of revenue office and promises his help if the office seeks help to curb the illegal trade, but locals claim that the administration has been closing its eyes for commissions.
Acting head of the Inland Revenue Office in Lahan Navin Aryal concedes the prevalence of illegal liquor trade in Siraha and admits the inability of his office to curb it but says lack of manpower is also hindering them. “Tobacco products and alcohol are the major source of revenue for the government and this illegal trade has affected revenue generation,” Aryal says.
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