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Gandaki CM Gurung for issuing ID cards to sex workers in Pokhara
Gandaki Province Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that identity cards should be issued to sex workers in order to manage the sex industry.Gandaki Province Chief Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has said that identity cards should be issued to sex workers in order to manage the sex industry.
Speaking during a programme organised by Hotels Association Nepal (HAN) in Pokhara on Tuesday, CM Gurung said that time has come to openly discuss on how to manage the sex business, suggesting that either a ‘red-light area’ must be specified or identity cards be distributed to sex workers.
“No matter how many times we try to curb, the business is operating in the shadows somehow,” said CM Gurung, “Let us make the business manageable by issuing identity cards instead.” He further said that the business being run in the shadows was only profiting certain individuals.
CM Gurung opined that if identity cards are issued then the government can collect some amount of tax, adding that the move would be beneficial for hotel entrepreneurs as they won’t have to face the hassles of police raid.
Likewise, CM Gurung shared instances when government officials come to Pokhara opted to stay at the Lake Side area rather than the government guest house. “Our employees, when they come to Pokhara, don’t stay in government quarters and go to lake side, may be that is the reason,” said CM Gurung hinting towards officials seeking for sex workers.