Govt assures support to local winemakers

SHILLONG, Feb 15: After the success of Lakadong Turmeric and Khasi Mandarin, the state government is now keen on producing world-class local wine and has committed to extend its full support to local winemakers in the state.
“We are serious and we are supporting the local winemakers in whichever ways and means we can,” said Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla on Thursday.
He said that effort needs to be made towards improving production and making the quality of wines world class.
He assured that the government will guide them. “…there will be a laboratory to check and test the quality,” he added.
With regard to a narrative of this not being a healthy trend to promote, Shylla said, “Until and unless we make our state a dry state, we cannot blame the local winemakers. Look at it with a positive outlook, it gives opportunity for employment and livelihood.”
He reasoned that readily available options should be turned into opportunities for livelihood, especially at a time when government jobs are scarce.
To a query on the lengthy process of acquiring the licence to produce local wines, the minister said, “We cannot cut down the process as the rules need to be followed. But we can speed it up. If there are any issues with the Excise department, we are here to help them. We however cannot bypass the various rules laid down”.