KATHMANDU, June 14: Minister for Home Affairs, Ram Bahadur Thapa has vowed to take a firm stance against corruption. Speaking during the first general convention and the second general assembly of the National Federation of Party Palace and Catering Entrepreneurs Nepal, Thapa stated that corruption and bad governance have been major challenges to the development of the country.
“We have come up with a specific framework for the country's development, and we firmly believe that it is difficult to implement our plans without clearing the hurdles that lie on the path of development,” said Thapa.Thapa said that lack of good governance has been the major barrier to development. According to him, the nation cannot achieve the intended growth unless merit replaces corruption, illegal smuggling of goods is completely uprooted, and influence of criminals is halted.“As of now, corruption is the major enemy for Nepal's development. This has also affected the service sectors of the country like catering business.”
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Minister Thapa emphasized on the need for development of service sectors such as catering and banquets. “This will create more job opportunity at home, which will stop Nepali citizens from going abroad for jobs,” he said.
More than 200 catering and banquet entrepreneurs from 42 districts of Nepal attended the event.Talking to Republica, chairperson of the federation Arun Shankar Vaidya said that catering and banquet services, which began around four decades ago in Nepal, has been more than just a hospitality and entertainment service provider.“We have assisted the people of the country at times of need.
The party palaces opened doors for citizens in the immediate aftermath of 2015 earthquake and provided them with food and shelter,” Vaidya said. “To further this role we have had a memorandum of understanding with a Japanese company so that in case of similar unforeseen catastrophe, we will once again be able to extend our assistance to the people.” Vaidhya added.“Among our future plans, we intend to expand our membership and bring in all party palaces and catering entrepreneurs under our federation. We also plan to categorize party palaces and catering services into class A, B and C based on the quality of food and services they offer.
”According to Vaidya, as the government still follows older policies like the Social Culture Act of 2033 B.S., businesses have not been able to function to their full potential.“The Act limits the number of guests one can invite to their party or event, which is not realistic for the modern times. It would be better for the hospitality sector if such laws are amended,” said Vaidya.
