SHILLONG, APR 16: The Meghalaya Government is keen to help homemade wine sector grow as a small scale industry (SSI) and bring it within the ambit of the state excise policy.
Meghalaya excise minister Zenith Sangma told the Assembly on Tuesday that the government has seriously examining proposals to bring the homemade wine sector in the loop of the state excise policy so as to encourage locally produced wines find outlets in the state. “The government is seriously considering this issue and will take necessary steps to facilitate homemade wine makers grow as viable small scale cottage industries in the state,” he said in reply to a cut motion moved by National Peoples’ Party legislator James K Sangma.
An excise laboratory, the minister said, will first have to be set up to ensure quality control through scientific analysis.
Zenith said the excise department generated Rs 385.5 crore revenue in the last three years through sales of alcoholic drinks in the state, which makes it one of the major revenue earning departments of the state. The department regulates the manufacture, production, supply, transport and possession of alcoholic drinks and beverages.
An amount of Rs 2.94 crore was also realized from the approval of fixation of holograms on each bottle since May 2010, the minister said. Under this hologram scheme, each bottle is fixed with a hologram manufactured by Noida-based M/s Uflex Ltd at Rs 1.52 per 3D hologram.
Zenith said the overall revenue was collected by way of license fees, vend fees, import pass fee, fines from confiscation besides excise duty.
At present, Meghalaya has eight bottling plants, 34 bonded warehouses, 629 wine stores, 41 bars and 39 canteens as outlets for alcoholic beverages and drinks. (By Our Reporter)
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