Officials argued that the time was not favorable in terms of security, transportation and adequate business infrastructure, and nightlife was still not widely accepted in society.[break]
In recent talks with nightlife establishments such as gazal bars, discotheques, dance restaurants and nightclubs in the Valley, the government rejected their proposal to operate around the clock.
Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chudamani Sharma on Monday told Republica, “We can´t permit those establishments to run round the clock until other interrelated entities like transportation, civil society, house owners and the security sector are ready for it.”
“We are ready to strictly follow the terms and conditions worked out and issued by the government in mutual understanding with nightlife entrepreneurs, but the government raised cultural and security issues,” Sameer Gurung, president of Nepal Night Business Entrepreneurs Association, said.
Earlier, the government was persuaded to extend nightlife hours under condition of enhanced infrastructure to help reduce criminal activity, he said, adding, when one pays tax to the government, it´s the duty of the government to manage security.
But CDO Sharma said, “The government cannot address the issue in isolation because we cannot be confined only to tourism promotion and economic development as we have other serious issues to keep in mind”.
AIG Nawaraj Dhakal, Commissioner at Metropolitan Police Commissioner´s Office (MPCO), said, “Before extending the duration we need to regulate the existing establishments and enhance a proper monitoring capacity.” But they were not in a position to provide security round the clock, he said, adding that if they wanted special security there must be special investments from their part as well.
However, the entrepreneurs don´t seem to be spending more on security enhancement and infrastructure. Nightlife entrepreneurs have not installed CCTV at restaurants and bars, sound-proofing and alternative lighting systems, as per the commitment they made to the authorities.
They were already running low on profits because of the time constraint and though staff work for four hours per day, entrepreneurs had to pay them full salaries, said Gurung. Because of the weak monitoring mechanism, they were not able to control the mushrooming of establishments nor regulate them properly, he said.
Kathmandu district has more than 200 dance bars with 50 to 60 live bands, dohori, pub and gazal restaurants. More than 6,000 girls work in the dance bars. The mushrooming of dance bars has had some negative impact on Thamel.
Because of such impact other restaurants and establishments are forced to close down early,Gurung said.
Thinking that dance bars have created an unpleasant atmosphere in the tourist hub of Thamel, some entrepreneurs have proposed that those businesses be allocated a separate area.
Though Thamel has turned into an undeclared red light area, the government neither has a policy to regulate it nor willpower to promote other businesses that contributes to the national economy, said a handicraft entrepreneur in Thamel.
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