September 25: The government has decided to lift a moratorium on the establishment of distilleries and breweries in the country. 

The decision was made by a meeting of the Industrial Promotion Board, held on September 18, under the chairmanship of Industry Minister Mahesh Basnet. 

The government had halted registration of new breweries and distilleries, and not allowed existing breweries to upgrade claiming liquor producers were not able to meet the required standard. However, the newly approved provision does not allow the entrepreneurs to establish a plant in Kathmandu and other sub-metropolitan cities, as well as near the southern part of Lumbini, and 15 km radius of Indo-Nepal border.

Similarly, the meeting has also set new standards for registration and environmental assessment. Parties interested in operating a brewery or distillery will have to deposit Rs 500,000 for registration and an additional Rs 300,000 for its upgrade. The new provision also requires a brewery to employ at least one technician, microbiologist or chemist and a food specialist.