Monday, May 4, 2020

Beverage, cigarette industries ask government to let them open business

Nepal Liquor and Cigarette Industries’ Association today urged the government to allow supplies of beverage and cigarette by easing lockdown.
Issuing a press note today, they also urged the government to allow beverage and cigarette industries and suppliers to operate at least a few hours daily. Beverage and cigarette Industries contribute more than Rs 10 billion to the national coffer annually and provide employment to more than 2 million people, the press note reads, adding that the lockdown has, however, made millions of people jobless. “It will not only hit the daily lives of beverage and cigarette suppliers but also the economy.
The association has also drawn the government’s attention towards the illegal production and distribution of liquor during the lockdown, which will not only bleed the government coffer but also create health hazards.
The government has though targeted to mobilise Rs 111.2 billion revenue in the current fiscal year, the lockdown of almost two months has hit the government target. However, the government is still optimistic of mobilising Rs 800 billion, according to the Finance Ministry.

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